Blog de Brad

Apple’s iPad 3 Event Invitation: 7 Clues You Might Have Missed

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 18:38:00 -0500

Apple’s iPad 3 Event Invitation: 7 Clues You Might Have Missed:

Half of the theories that are detailed in this Mashable article about the iPad 3 event can be explained by realising that the calendar icon depicted may not be in the central dock position (i.e not directly above where the home button would exist).

That icon position in the dock is a completely reasonable justification as to why you can’t see the home button, why the water droplets are in the ‘wrong’ position, and why the home screen page markers are non-existent. Along with the other pointless theories people have brought forth.

You can try it for yourself. Set your iPad in landscape mode, select the same wallpaper, and see where the same droplets lie on the screen.

I have to stress, all of the ideas this post suggests may become apparent at the event on Wednesday (I personally believe there is some weight to a virtual home button, though I’m not sure I would like it). And it is true with hindsight that the invitations Apple serves out have hinted at what products they will announce at events.

But, when the writers at Mashable do not have the journalistic competence to at least consider such a possibility I have described, it shows to me that this article is just fruitless link-baiting bullshit.

About Gatekeeper

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 14:37:51 -0500

About Gatekeeper:

One worrisome rift

There remains one thing that is of concern to me. Despite these great strides forward, Apple is walking a dangerous line with regard to features that are only available to App Store distributed apps. The two most prominent examples are iCloud and Notification Center. Cabel asked Apple if, thanks to Gatekeeper and Developer ID, App Store-only features would be eventually be available to signed apps that were not distributed through the App Store. There was some shuffling of feet and a “we have nothing to announce at this time”. It didn’t sound particularly optimistic.

It would be a shame if this trend continues, as it creates an artificial gulf between App Store and non-App Store apps. For example, as things stand today, we won’t be able to offer iCloud syncing in, say, Coda 2, when you purchase it directly from us. Only App Store purchasers would get that feature. Making matters worse is Apple offers us no real facility to “cross-grade” you from a direct purchase to an App Store purchase, should you change your mind.

There’s no real engineering reason that I can think of for this. It seems marketing or money-driven, and I think it’s un-Apple-like to chase the money at the expense of user experience in that manner. We hope they change their minds about that particular facet.

This is a great article for understanding what the purpose of Gatekeeper is in Mac OS X ‘Mountain Lion’. However, I believe what Steve Frank (I assume its Frank) has picked up on here is very significant for the direction that Apple is taking with its desktop OS.

'Close Call'

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 12:23:00 -0500

'Close Call':

As the post is meant to be satirical, I think that Gruber’s “completely accurate” quote is rather to say that the DigiTimes report is “completely realistic” with the rest of the writing we’ve seen in the past week.

Fast Five revealed as the most 'pirated film' of 2011

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:48:19 -0500

Fast Five revealed as the most 'pirated film' of 2011:

This doesn’t surprise me at all. This film was a ridiculous mess.

Being defeatist will never help your cause

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:20:00 -0500

Andy Lonergan is, in my view, one of the Championship’s best goalkeepers, but even I thought when watching the highlights against Reading: “Would Alex of done any better?”

Simon Church’s lob, as any cheeky chip that goes ‘over and in’, will always ask questions of a goalkeeper - Especially when he is returning to action after two months on the sidelines, and unintentionally causing the on-field fiasco that was Paul Rachubka.

Alex McCarthy has undoubtedly impressed in Lonergan’s absence, and was obviously left out of the squad that played against his parent-club. But in the wake of it all, Grayson has an interesting choice to make in the goalkeeper he decides to start on Boxing Day.

It is clear that McCarthy wont be here to stay with us permanently in the near future, and as such it is inevitable that Lonergan will be put back in the frame. But his recent comments haven’t really inspired me with any great confidence:

Opinion was divided over whether the 28-year-old was entirely to blame for Reading’s winning goal, scored by Simon Church with a second-minute lob, and Lonergan defended himself in that instance but he was scathing about his influence on the Championship game as a whole. He described himself as “poor” while admitting he had no expectation of receiving the nod from Grayson at Derby on Boxing Day…

…“It’s been a frustrating time for me. I started well and I feel like I’ve got to get back to that level now.

“The only way I’m going to get there is by playing on a Saturday. It’s not something that just comes back to you quickly. I was happy with my form at the start of the season but that comes with the confidence of playing.”

The Yorkshire Evening Post

Has anyone else picked up on the irony in these words? He admits he needs game time to get back the form he had pre-injury, but at the same time has given up any hope of being called to the squad for the Boxing Day clash against Derby?

This was the player Grayson held out for to wear the Number One jersey two weeks before the first game of the season and was automatically selected for that game, even without playing any matches with the senior squad beforehand. “In-Lonergan-We-Trust” was the mantra.

He admits it was “just a blip” against Reading, so I ask why is he being so hard against himself when he can potentially have a second bite at the cherry on Monday?

Either he is an incredibly modest character or incredibly cynical of the way football managers work; I don’t blame him after having his Preston career ended by Phil Brown the way it did. But even so, I find it hard to believe that Grayson shouldn’t trust him for the way Lonergan performed last Saturday

The problem Grayson has is if this “blip” becomes a recurring theme for Lonergan to get back to his best, whilst the young potential and, so far, reliability in Alex McCarthy is wasted.

If Grayson thought the way Lonergan currently feels his manager should, Rachubka wouldn’t have been given the chance to muck-up against Blackpool based on his past performances where mistakes were made.

As for what Grayson should do on Boxing Day: If he is indeed stuck in a rut between McCarthy and Lonergan, stick Maik Taylor on instead. He is a great keeper who still manages to get called up to his national squad without even having a club to play for - surely that says something.

Amusing "Dirty Leeds" Rant from an Arsenal Fan

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:38:32 -0500

Amusing "Dirty Leeds" Rant from an Arsenal Fan:

This is a great post detailing every reason I like being a Leeds United fan.

R.I.P Gary Speed

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 17:12:50 -0500

R.I.P Gary Speed

"I just hope that his difficult final months at the Beeb haven’t turned him into some kind of tedious..."

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 08:32:03 -0400

“I just hope that his difficult final months at the Beeb haven’t turned him into some kind of tedious touchy-feely interview robot.”

- Colin Robertson, TV editor, the Sun on the return of Jonathan Ross to the chat show on ITV.

I’m a big fan of the guy and wish him well in his new venture.

I have acquired an iPad

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 17:11:12 -0400

Howdy y’all, for my birthday I acquired an iPad. The lowdown is that it is quite simply awesome; this post has been typed on it.

I’ve only had it for a couple of days now, but what I can say about it is that i haven’t logged into my Mac since I’ve set it up. I know that this is probably due to the novelty of it so far, and time will only tell if I keep up with doing everything with it.

That is all for now.

luckyshirt: Dear guy who just made my burrito: Have you ever...

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 12:32:28 -0400

luckyshirt:

Dear guy who just made my burrito:

Have you ever been to earth, player?

On earth, we use the word “burrito” to describe a tortilla filled with things you eat. Pretty simple stuff, and I’m surprised you at least got that part right. My burrito was, in fact, filled with food. In this, you and I agree and are friends. But this is also where my lifelong hatred begins for you and anyone else whose brain has been repeatedly scrubbed with the same mixture of bleach and Pop Rocks as yours has. Because that should have killed you, but left you around long enough to do what you did to me today. Let me explain:

You’re an idiot.

Let me further explain:

Burritos are eaten from one end to the other. So that means when you assemble a burrito with motherfucking ZONES of ingredients from one end to the other, you create a disgusting experience for the burrito’s end user. When you make a burrito, you should put the ingredients in layers lengthwise. That way, every bite has a chance of getting at least two types of ingredients, and there is little chance of becoming almost hopelessly trapped in a goddamned cilantro cavern.

Have you ever eaten one of the things you make all fucking day? You should try one. They are pretty good WHEN YOU ARE NOT WILLING YOURSELF THROUGH THE FUCKING EMPIRE OF SOUR CREAM TO GET TO LETTUCE COUNTRY.

When you eat a burrito, you don’t stand it up and bite down on it lengthwise like a fucking Rancor. Humans cannot usually dislocate their jaws to accommodate such methods. But you must think that’s how it’s done, since that would be THE ONLY FUCKING WAY to take a bite of your crapstrosity and have it taste like a burrito and not a multi-stage rocket to the planet Fucking Disgustingupiter.

And guess what else? You can’t guess anything, because I’m pretty sure you’re just a mop with a hat on it that fell over and spilled some shit into a tortilla, but just in case, here’s what:

Humans also don’t eat burritos like fucking corn on the cob. Like a fucking typewriter from one end to the other a little at a time and then DING next line. But today I wish I had tried that. Because at least THEN I would be able to eat some rice, then beans, then be all like HEY BEANS I’LL BE RIGHT BACK JUST GOING OVER HERE TO THE GUACAMOLE FOR A SECOND.

Nope.

My experience was more like HEY BEANS IT’S JUST GOING TO BE YOU AND I FOR A MINUTE UNTIL I CAN FUCKING EXCAVATE THE RICE FROM BENEATH YOU BUT BY THEN YOU WILL BE A FADING MEMORY OH HEY I WAS WRONG I’M IN THE FUCKING CHEESEOSPHERE NOW RICE MUST BE NEXT I HOPE IT’S NOT ANOTHER FUCKING SALSA POCKET.

And don’t even fucking think I’m about to open this shit up and re-engineer this nonsense. You and I already know this tortilla was made to maintain its physical integrity for thirty seconds once touched. There just isn’t time for me to do your job.

There also isn’t apparently time for you to do yours.

In conclusion:

You’re the worst thing that has ever happened to the universe.

Southampton 3-1 Leeds United

Sat, 06 Aug 2011 16:41:00 -0400

As far as season-openers go, that was definitely not the right way to go about it.

The penalty in extra-time did nothing to lighten my spirit after watching three very simple (albeit well taken) goals from The Saints fly into our net due to some horrendous defending and seeming lack of ability to pass to anyone from midfield.

Positives

New goalkeeper Andy Lonergan showed his worth today; brilliantly blocking a point-blank shot from Southampton midfielder Andy Lallana in the first half and pushing Richard Chaplow’s long-distance attempt on to the bar in the second. Those who still complain of Kasper Schmeichel’s departure from Leeds are now banging an old drum in my opinion. Lonergan was confident taking shots out of the air from set-pieces and was incredibly vocal when his defence were in the unfamiliar scenario of being in the correct position. He is a great replacement for Schmeichel and I can only hope seeing the ball in the back of the net three times today does not knock his confidence for our match next week.

The only other thing that can be praised from Leeds’ performance today was the way they came out after half-time. The first half showed little in terms of closing the opponent down and saw seven or eight players behind the halfway line when they did not have possession of the ball, leaving Southampton to pass freely away and not have to worry when the ill-fated long-balls from Leeds didn’t find McCormack. When the second half whistle blew Leeds looked to try and take a hold of the match and looked much more like the team we know and love. However that was soon quelled when the third goal was conceded. That ability to adapt to a games situation is a very important one if we plan on winning as many games as possible this season.

Negatives

The gaping holes left in the defensive line were amazing to see. Time after time, Kisnorbo or O’Brien could be seen to be drawn well out of position, the perfect example being the lead-up to the second Southampton goal that would not of come about if the defence were kept in line. Its all well and good for them to rush onto opposition to get a hold of the ball, but when the midfield seem to just stand there gazing around, wondering what they are having for tea, it doesn’t leave much back up in case defenders fail to get possession.

Loan signing O’Dea only looked reasonable when he was given opportunity to attack, but showed a lot of clumsiness in being able to hold on to possession when the pressure from Southampton came towards him.

The midfield? Put bluntly I couldn’t see it for most of the game. When Southampton attacked they either seemed to breeze through three ghosts or get floored by Michael Brown’s clumsy challenges - I know he has a reputation for being a psychical player, but he is going to do Leeds no favours whatsoever this season by giving away as many free-kicks as he did today.

Both Clayton and Howson (who had the best chance to score for us today) showed moments of skill at the same time as having no intention to pass to any other player around them. It was baffling to see how they could twist and turn around players, and then just push the ball into open ground for the opposition to snap up.

In attack similar problems showed up. Both Gradel and Snodgrass were left to their own devices when they received the ball, and when support came they just didn’t seem to have chemistry with the rest of the team and would either pass the ball backwards or simply give it away.

As mentioned earlier, McCormack’s part in this game was to run onto the long balls when the rest of the team ran out of ideas - A good plan if any of those long balls worked out (they were either misplaced or over-hit most of the time).

The substitutions that were carried out proved to be fruitless. Billy Paynter’s chance could of been much better and fuels more reason for the fans wanting him out of Elland Road. Ramon Nunez and Lloyd Sam were not given enough time to prove their worth, ten or so minutes more Nunez especially may of given the team the perfect setup or strike to claw a goal back.

Conclusions

Overall, a dismal day for Leeds United. Much more could of been done to prevent such a terrible result from happening. I hope this defeat is a shock to the system for the team (both players and management), where an easy pre-season (Newcastle the only game that could be truly deemed a challenge) did nothing to make the side improve on what was a terrific start back in the Championship last year.

Full BBC Coverage can be found (here)[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14351913.stm].

The Joys of Markdown

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 18:48:00 -0400

Since I have finished University for the year, one thing I have been doing is learning how to write using Markdown, a lightweight markup language for my blog writing.

I am no newcomer to the world of basic HTML formatting, which the Markdown language is converted to after I finished writing. Markdown for me is so much faster to use whilst writing a paragraph quickly and is also much more readable, as opposed to looking through a series of HTML tags to scan through your content.

The application I use to write in Markdown is TextMate, which integrates brilliant with Markdown, highlighting the various syntax it uses with different colours and can also be used to skip through sections of writing through the use of the headings you apply to text.

The only gripe I have whilst using Markdown is that, whilst being used on Tumblr it does not format Markdown (or HTML) properly in the Dashboard; making it confusing in some cases to read my posts without clicking through on to my blog. I tend to use the same uniformed formatting for my posts on Euphony something that can’t be done through the use of Markdown through Tumblr.

I’m going to email Tumblr, hoping they respond back, to see if anything can be down about this problem. I will update again with any developments..

On Leeds United A.F.C

Sun, 24 Jul 2011 15:49:00 -0400

It has been a while my dear readers. I think that with the penultimate pre-season friendly match out of the way (the match in question ending in a 1-1 draw) that I discuss my own thoughts and reflections on the latest developments at Leeds United A.F.C, my local football team who I have supported in varying degrees throughout my life.

My History with Leeds United

My allegiance with ‘The Whites’ as they are often referred as, is based purely through my impressionable youth. Many old primary and secondary school friends are also huge supporters of the club and thus I followed suit. Living so close to the Elland Road football stadium (which I estimate is about two miles away from my house) is naturally another big factor, like I assume for many of my creed.

Born in the year of our last trophy winning 1991-1992 Division 1 season, my strongest support of the team comes now twenty years later as the team tries to claw back the success and size that it began to lose through the club’s infamous financial implosion; Peaking with a Champions League semi-final game against Valencia in 2001 to the dreaded season of 2003/04 with the clubs relegation from the Premier League.

While I was always familiar with the goings-on at Leeds throughout my life I was never a die-hard ‘White’, and I admittedly lost all attention to football completely throughout the first half of the millennium. I was never happy that our main rivals were loosing games, all I hoped was that Leeds United were winning. I didn’t care how they played, who had scored the goals or how the manager was performing; just that week-in, week-out we got three points.

Quickly moving along to the last couple of years before University, I was invited to a League 1 Play-Off final down at the Elland Road conference centre, where those unfortunate not to get tickets for the game at Wembley Stadium went to watch it.

Against Doncaster Rovers, Leeds had the chance to be promoted back into the Championship after there worst spell in the club’s existence. They lost 1-0 and I had never felt so passionate for my team in my entire life. The crowd were a fantastic and friendly bunch who, albeit known in general for having a bit of a trouble-making reputation, looked after each other.

This support was spurred on further by my move to University. Being slap bang in the middle of Manchester and Liverpool, Preston (where the University of Central Lancashire is based) contains a mix of football fans from the three locations listed, none of which I particularly like.

I actively look out for the latest developments in the team. How we play in games, how our nearest rivals are fairing throughout the season, who are the suspected transfer targets the team wants to acquire (or the lack of at this current time, as I will discuss later on).

These are my thoughts on the current state of Leeds United. Informed by what I have seen, read and talked about with other fans and Leeds United staff that I have been fortunate to of met in one form or another.

A Reflection of the 2010-2011 Season

As our first season back in the Football League Championship the 5th placed finish we ended on was incredibly pleasing for me. One place off a Play Off spot is an incredible result for a teams first season back in any tier of the Football League system, but is especially so when your that close to the Premier League.

However, I am incredibly relieved in some twisted way that we didn’t make it even further than we did. A premature promotion to the top-tier would amount to a lot of pressure on the club to achieve more than their means can get them to in our current state. With the Championship and Premier League divisions being too very different beasts to one another, I believe that the gradual transition we have now taken will pay dividends in the future; getting our feet firmly on the ground in the Championship and studying our options for success in a more timely manner this season. As the Manager, Simon Grayson, said in an interview for Sky Sports in April:

“The remit at the beginning of the season was not to get promoted. The remit at the beginning of the season was make sure we are in the Championship at the end of the season. I’ve done that.”

This was also the season we proved we could succeed without our former-goal scoring sensation that was Jermaine Beckford, know most famously for his 19th minute goal in our historical F.A Cup win against Manchester United on 04.01.2010, and who has moved to hopefully bigger and better things with Everton after seeing out his Leeds United contract.

Many players stepped up to the plate this year. Most notably our No.10, Luciano Becchio scoring 20 goals this season in all tournaments, and winger Max Gradel who won Leeds’ Player of the Year 2010-2011 and Player’s Player of the Year Awards. Our inevitable slip out of the play-off spots in the last couple of months of the season showed however that we lacked that little bit of extra class to get us to that next level, especially when studying our defence who had the worst record than any other top-half placed team at the end of the season.

The Upcoming 2011-2012 Season

A promotion spot has got to be on the cards this year as nothing below that will be acceptable for the fans (I know because I’m one of them). We must be showing signs of progression for our upcoming season and the only way we can do that is to be in the Play Off final at very least.

With the way we showed we could play last season, the old adage “there’s no smoke without fire” is an appropriate one. Chairman, Ken Bates, and the rest of the club management will of also recognised this and much more pressure to succeed will naturally be put on the club.

Transfers

Put bluntly, the only way we can make that step further is by recruiting players that have had Premier League experience, whether currently at Premier League clubs or transferred/relegated down a divisions in the last couple of seasons. Obviously, these types of players are made difficult to get because of their wages. Ken Bates policy on keeping bills down at Leeds United may hamper any deal on a player we may try and approach thus allowing more enticing Premier League suitors who can afford the wages and can guarantee top division football for a season to make offers.

This, in my mind, must the explanation for everyone noting just how quiet the pre-season transfer window has been for incoming players at Leeds and it shows thankfully the ambition the team has for itself. But, with the players that have come in and have left, regardless of how many we may be keeping tracks on, we are still a long way away from making ourselves any better than we were last season. Some fans I have spoken to indicate that we look worse, but I’ll let season do the talking for the team before I make any judgements on the matter.

This next section is broken down into the different player areas, what transfers have been made (in and out of the club), my analysis on these movements, and if any other players should be recruited before 31st August.

Goalkeeper

Players In: Paul Rachubka (Free Agent) Players Out: Shane Higgs (Free Agent) & Kasper Schmeichel (Sold)

The major controversy this pre-season so far for Leeds has been the departure of Kasper Schmeichel (son of the Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel) to Leicester for a fee around £1.5 million who came in last season for Leeds. A clearly gifted goalkeeper, he saved us countless times from what looked to be guaranteed scoring opportunities for our opposition last season. By far the best ‘keeper in the Championship in one-on-one situations against an opponent, as well as documenting some truly amazing reaction saves.

I was definitely shocked to hear that Leeds had accepted an offer for him and especially angered when his apparent replacement was Paul Rachubka, former third choice goalkeeper at Blackpool. However, as time moves on I get less worried about this decision to let Schmeichel leave. The facts are his name probably carried him along a bit too much and has made him more expensive than he is probably worth at this current time. Leeds United mantra regarding player wages under the reign of Bates has been to get the maximum performance for the minimum price. Other goalkeepers in the Championship and in other leagues including the Premiership undoubtedly cost less and can do the job just as well as Schmeichel did.

The reports I heard so far about Rachubka is that he has done well for the club in our pre-season matches. Yet I believe that he has come in to the team as a replacement for our former second choice goalkeeper Shane Higgs who’s contract was not renewed at the end of last season. Evidence to suggest this is nothing more than seeing some P.R photos of Rachubka in a training session where he is wearing the number 12 on his shorts, the same number Higgs wore at the club. As well as this are the links we have had to more coveted players such as former-Liverpool-playing-Champions-League-winning Jerzy Dudek, Preston stopper Andy Lonergan, and Fulham prospect David Stockdale.

The only suggestion that I have over this matter is that someone needs to be signed before the start of the season on 6th August in this department. Having only one first-team goalkeeper would be a reckless thing to do when it could so easily of been avoided. Of course whoever comes in, must be able to compare closely to Schmeichel or this whole charade would of just been fruitless to begin with.

Defence

Players In: Patrick Kisnorbo (sort of) & Ben Parker (sort of) Players Out: Richard Naylor (Free Agent)

The departure of former-club captain Richard Naylor was a sorry sight for me. Together he and Kisnorbo were passionate and powerful enough as a central unit. However, times change and with them the old boys need to move on. Having a very stunted season himself, and with all the new recruitments in his area it, was fair that he was allowed to leave the club. He has since found a gig at Doncaster United, I wish him all the best there.

The mentions to Kisnorbo and Parker, who have been at the club for a while now, are because these players played no part of last seasons campaign (bar a 10 minute run-about for Kisnorbo in the last game of last year). Kisnorbo showed his worth in our League 1 promotion season. Big, strong and experienced, he should bring back the communication that whole of our new-look defence of last season lacked from the middle of the line.

Parker, probably wins the acclaimed ‘Most Unlucky 23 year old Football Player’ award for two years in a row after going through seven different operations in two injury hit seasons before getting back into the first team squad. If he can remember how to do it (the reports look promising), Parker is a left-back, a definite problem area for Leeds last season with new signing Fredrico Bessone not performing, eventually loaned out to League 1, and bringing in Paul McCarthey on loan from Sunderland who has since returned to his parent club. Parker may be just what the doctor ordered for us this season if he can remain fit.

In terms of what deals I would like to see in this department, the only glaring one I can think of is that left-back problem. Even though Grayson hasn’t ruled out Bessone in his plans just yet, I can’t help thinking between Parker and Bessone, we still can’t guarantee a consistent performance on the left side. The trial of 29 year old Boldizsar Bodor can put these worries to rest if he performs and is signed up, not that I know too much about the player bar him having 24 Hungarian international caps.

People have commented that a complete overhaul of our defence is needed because of our dire defensive record I talked about earlier. But with a bit of time I can only see the relationship in the back line become more natural and reliable to stop some of the sillier goals we let in last season. The trial of ex-Bolton player Jlloyd Samuel is promising news for those that would like to see new faces back there. As well this, the rumours of Eric Lichaj returning for another season after being a stand-out loan signing from Aston Villa in February last time round.

Midfield

Players In: Michael Brown) (Free Agent) Players Out: Bradley Johnson (Free Agent), Neil Kilkenny (Free Agent)

When I heard the news that Bradley Johnson would not sign a new contract at Leeds, I was naturally disappointed. He was a real prospect in my eyes and that goal in the second leg of our F.A Cup tie against Arsenal earlier this year was just filthy-gorgeous. Kilkenny’s departure? I couldn’t care less being completely honest. Sometimes he was a great midfielder, other times either ran sideways constantly or just loved giving the ball to the opposition. The way he messed the club about, first promising to sign a new contact and then quickly buggering off to Bristol City, doesn’t put him in my good books either.

The fact is both were prominent figures in Leeds’ starting 11 in midfield and therefore have to be replaced. Our only other signing at this point apart from ‘keeper Rachubka is the hard-tackling veteran Michael Brown who played at Portsmouth for 2010-2011. He could also remedy the troubles we had in our defence whereby last seasons midfield contained players who were known more for their attacking displays thus leaving us exposed on the counter-attack.

Many people I have talked to have criticised Leeds recruiting Brown due to his age and as such is vulnerable to be on the sidelines for a vast amount of the season (especially when you consider his discipline record). Admittedly, he is no spring chicken, but neither is the former White, Lee Bowyer, who many believed and hoped would make a return to the club, who is the same age as Brown. The same can be said for Alan Smith) who has forever been plagued with injury in varying degrees after breaking his leg playing for Manchester United and played only 11 games last season for his current club Newcastle United. Both will have probably of demanded more in terms of salary and can no better guarantee being fit and able every week for us than Michael Brown; even if they were part of our glory-years before we were relegated in 2004.

In terms of my own recommendations for this section of the squad, I reckon another player needs to be added to match the midfield we had last season, if not to improve. The trial of ex-Aston Villa man Isaiah Osbourne and links with Coventry captain Sammy Clingan are promising pieces of news on that front.

Forwards

Players In: None Players Out: None

Max Gradel, who has been linked to a slew of clubs recently, including news of a rejected bid from West Ham United, has given us the most brilliant news all summer by planning to stay for next season. These are just words at them moment which count for nothing as our friend Kilkenny so kindly reminds us, yet I hope Gradel is rewarded with a contract extension because of it. At only 23, I believe him to be a real prospect for Leeds in the future if he stays.

Robert Snodgrass, who is Leeds United’s very own Lionel Messi when playing at his very best, has also had interest from Premier League clubs this pre-season. But attempts to acquire his services have yet again been made hard to get by the club quite thankfully. The reluctance to sell prized possessions at the club, something we have been criticised in the past for, seems to show the ambition that we have for next season; the need to progress higher as a club after waiting for so long to do it again.

The news of main strikers Becchio and Davide Somma long term injuries is unwelcome. This being the case, ample opportunity for Ross McCormack and Billy Paynter to step up to the plate, can be seen as a positive after being criticised for the lack of goals and pitch time they gave last season; which hopefully should lead to stronger goal-scoring force in the penalty box, when Luc and Somma return to fitness.

By being far the best asset at club at the moment are our attack is the one area of the team that I believe does not need to be changed in the slightest unless players are allowed to be moved on. At which point suitable replacements must be signed in a timely manner.

Conclusions

This is an exciting season for Leeds United, I cant wait to see what will come of it. My fingers are crossed the next time I write something similar to this next year, I will be talking about being in Premier League and what we have to do for survival. Many things may change from when I post this, and when the new season begins and may make everything I have said defunct. But that is the excitement of football, speculation sometimes counts for nothing in this sport and that is what makes it so brilliant to study.

The best response representing my view in the wake of...

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 16:20:00 -0400

The best response representing my view in the wake of Dropbox’s revelations of an authentication bug after a code update yesterday.

While I can’t say I’m thrilled to hear this news, I am not outraged like some other users seem to be.

The fact still stands, even in the wake of all these cloud resources, the internet is still the internet. Nothing on it is ever truly secure; never has been, never will be.

I make sure any data that is really sensitive that I need to put on Dropbox is encrypted and then is deleted from my Dropbox folder as soon as I have no need for it to be there anymore. Apart from that, nothing I have in there I wouldn’t be bothered showing any other man on the planet; even those fiends that could of logged on to my account between 5:41pm and 5:46pm PST.

Basement Jaxx to Release Orchestral Album

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:01:34 -0400

Basement Jaxx to Release Orchestral Album

Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 08:31:00 -0400

Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection:

After my last few posts I think it time for a different topic.

The videogame conference E3 2011 has just wrapped up, and in the aftermath of many major announcements including a new Nintendo console, Hitman: Absolution, and the reboot of the Tomb Raider franchise (three personal highlights), came the news from my favourite game series Metal Gear Solid from Kojima Productions.

The collection will include Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker for both Playstation 3 and Xbox 360.

Bar the final game that I know nothing about as it is a PSP title, a console I have never had any desire of owning, I adore these games. I love the story, I love the gameplay and I love the nostalgia they give me when I have a chance to play them. MGS2 is now 10 years old believe it or not, MGS3 now 7 years old. Bringing them back to their former glory makes sense in my eyes.

However, there is one obvious mistake that makes me question why they would bother to release such a collection. That being why they have not included the Metal Gear Solid 1 title.

Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes was released as a next-generation remake of the first title for the Nintendo Gamecube in 2004, upgrading the graphics from the original Playstation graphics to be on par with MGS 2 & 3. That being the case I do not see the reason for a HD upgrade of that title not being part of the collection. While it did receive some criticism for its over the top cutscenes and less than ideal gameplay due to the nature of the Gamecube System, I would welcome it as an inclusion on consoles where MGS would naturally “fit”.

Having the game that started the success of the series makes perfect sense to be the first in line to get a HD remastering, so I am left astonished that the situation is the way it is.

However, with that obvious point I believe will leave more people than me scratching their heads said, I’m quite excited for this release! It will be a great little Christmas present from someone if I ask nicely enough. MGS: Peace Walker will obviously be a new game to play for me to play. Along with HD MGS 2 & 3 - a happy man I shall be.

Day 3 of the Slow Carb Diet - Pissing like a Racehorse

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 22:05:00 -0400

You go to the toilet for number 1’s a helluva’ lot. Its important to intake a lot more water because of it. I discovered this today after 2 previous days of subtle yet annoying headaches.

I advise for those who don’t drink water often to invest in high-quality hydration bladder, which is basically like a hot water bottle with a straw attached to it. They can be at the foot of your bed or desk, in your car, or packed up in a rucksack if your on the move and can give you easy access to water. The fact I know that its there makes me more conscience about taking water.

While you can pick these up extremely cheap they tend to leave a fowl rubbery taste to the water which will instantly put you off increasing your fluid intake. As well as this, they have a tendency to pierce easily and spew water everywhere if they get near anything sharp or ragged around a bit too much - flashbacks of when you won a goldfish at a funfair which then proceeded to suffocate when the plastic bag it came in broke in the car.

To avoid such anguish I recommend buying an official Camelbak Hydration System bladder that retails for around £15 ($24). They’re used by NASA for the astronauts hydration - so you know they’re good. Please try and ignore any other brand that that may claim to be “Camelbak Quality” (bar those that retail for the same price), because my past experience has proven they’re not and has left me with soggy sandwiches at lunchtime when I’ve been hiking.

If you are on your feet a lot you may want to consider getting a Hydration pack with an included pouch for a bladder by Camelbak (My friends use the M.U.L.E when I used to go biking, or on hikes where we didn’t need much kit) or, like myself currently the North Face Hammerhead system, which has an easier valve system when your on a bike than the Camelbak in my opinion but is also quite pricey.

Its always a good thing to take on water in your body; I think that unless you feel thirsty most people just dont bother to do it. The Slow Carb Diet however, makes it imperative that you do if you want to succeed with your weight/fat-loss goals.

The Importance of Tracking Your Progress

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 18:59:04 -0400

Pragmatic Laziness: How One Graph Beats Expert Advice

In 2008, a 258-pound Phil Libin decided to experiment with laziness.

He wanted to lose weight. This is common. As is also common, he wasn’t particularly keen on diet or exercise. He’d tried both on and on for years. The intermittent four to eight-week programs helped him drop pounds—and then his other behaviours helped him gain them back even faster.

He began to suspect there might be an easier way: doing nothing

Phil had a simple method in mind: “I wanted to see what effect being precisely aware of my weight would have on my weight.”

Phil lost 28 pounds in six months without making the slightest attempt to change his behaviour.

- Tim Ferris: The Four Hour Body.

Case in point that my bi-weekly weigh-ins, whilst appearing way too intricate and detailed, are needed to really benefit from any change in lifestyle. I will in fact be carrying out these measurements everyday - the progress you see in every two weeks is because I see there to be no real benefit for putting measurements up everyday online. I’ve lost time that could be attending something more worthwhile, while you poor readers (if not already doing so reading this now) are wasting what hours your eyes could be spending on something much entertaining on the Internet.

Many folks say to ignore the scales and measurements for an entire week before seeing their numbers again. My mother, who once gave Weight Watchers a try for a couple of months, hated not knowing how her diet was working until her next weekly weigh-in, by which point meant it was too late to do anything about it.

While the numbers day-to-day may look unconvincing, be patient and stick with it. In my previous bout of weight loss I was frustrated looking at such a slim decrease in weight, but persevered long enough to see the progress overall at the final stage.

Long time, no see.

Sun, 29 May 2011 11:11:00 -0400

Howdy all,

It’s been a heck of a while since I last wrote in this space. University work was the main priority in recent weeks. The great news is that its all finished for another year until September. The focus now is financial and bodily well-being.

Health

My last post talked about getting myself into better shape. With the workload I’ve had, I’ve admittedly let that slide in the past month. There are no reasons for not achieving my goals now. After tomorrows epic road trip and birthday celebration for a close friend, we get serious.

The bi-weekly weigh-ins, as suggested in my previous post, will be my way of tracking my results to the world. It’s going to be a lot more detailed than I first proposed however, using tape measurements as well as weight measurements. Those will be put up on Tuesday when it all starts.

The “Slow Carb Diet” will be followed for my sustenance throughout the week. It hardly seems taxing bar cutting out bread, and has in the vast amount of cases documented worked well as a way to lose fat tissue without killing your body’s muscle tissue at the same time. It seems many have made this diet more of a lifestyle change than a diet cycle per se. I will of course keep the world updated as to how this works out for me along with the exercise programme I’ll be following.

Diet and Exercise

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 22:41:30 -0400

As many university undergraduates that live away from home, my weight has seen a great change from when I started in September 2009 to where I am right now. As I recall when I measured and weighed myself before university (knowing that things would change for better or worse) I was just barely over 6 feet tall and weighed in at around 12 and a half stone (probably just under). Summer 2010 saw the low of my life in this regard weighing in at just over a whopping 14 stone.

The fact is copious amounts of alcohol my body just wasn’t used to and my lack of ability and energy to learn to cook (thus eating a lot of fast food) saw the inevitable happen. There were no excuses, it took a toll on me before I even knew it was a problem.

Since then I have lost a stone and a half (back to my original weight) and put on 3 or 4 more pounds in the recent weeks (due to workload and a recent bout of nights out).

I’ve never felt more happier with myself knowing that I can lose the weight when I felt it right to. It wasn’t as if I completely changed my life, stopped drinking and stopped with the fast food - I still do and adore those things. But when I dont, I make sure to exercise at the gym at least two days a week for an hour or so and to eat healthy afterwards. Sometimes I would do more than this, sometimes less. I never took it seriously or in any sort of regimented way until this point.

But I’ve decided as of tomorrow a true diet and exercise plan will be now put into action. It starts with substituting any lunchtime meal with a protein shake as well as taking one after any exercise I do. The theory behind this is to shed whatever fat I can in the easiest way possible and keep my consumption of it down to minimum and to help repair muscles after any weights at the gym. Any fast food or nights out MUST be followed by a gym session the day after to make sure I do not absorb any more fat than I already have to. Four gym sessions are now the target for each week with at least 25 minutes of cardio.

I just want to see how well I can do it, and how far the results can go. The gym has definitely produced more definition and size in my muscles (especially arms and chest).

So the current size and weight is:

Height: 6 foot, 2 Inches (I don’t know when I’ll stop growing. Hopefully before I can’t fit in any car)
Weight: 12 stone, 10 pounds

I will let you know of the results on a bi-weekly basis. Weight-loss is not a particular necessity (bar maybe the couple of pounds I’ve put on in the recent months) as I want to add to my muscle mass. But, I do expect to see my weight drop for the first couple of weigh ins.