I was planning on writing an extensive blog on all the events from the weekend, but quite frankly, I can’t be bothered right now. I think I may be ill. I have a headache, sore throat and don’t feel well. My medical diagnosis points to a cold, but I am not ruling out a case of bluetongue.

So, like a lazy blogger, will just be summarising the last few days…

Fifa 08 & Halo 3
Both excellent games. Why do they have to be released in the same week!? I keep beating people at Fifa online; unfortunately I’m not as good on Halo.

Dennis Wise
Dennis Wise (the hamster, not the manager) has been unwell. He had the shits. I think I fed him too much lettuce – so much for “Five a day” being a good idea. He’s firmed up now and is pooping hard pellets.

Burgers
Simon and Watkins came round on Friday night, and we cooked burgers. My flat now stinks of beef. Never again will I be cooking that many. I also forgot to fit the drip tray to my grill – liquid fat went everywhere! Never, ever again!

Bath City
I went to Truro to watch City in the FA Cup. Crap game, horrible ground and some nasty fans. Only plus points being Bath won (just), they were selling Cornish pasties and had Thatcher’s cider on tap.

Leeds United
Lost their 100% record after drawing 1-1 with Gillingham. Ref was apparently a useless toerag and sent two Leeds players off. Dennis Wise (the manager, not the hamster) must have been furious; jumping up and down, his eyes wobbling all over the place.

Chelsea
Hahaha – going down with the Derby!

Sorry about the lack of recent blogs; later this evening or tomorrow, I will blog about the last few days; including my two new Xbox 360 games (Halo 3 and Fifa 08), the dodgy bowels of Dennis Wise (the hamster, not manager) and last nights adventures with Simon and Watkins.

I’m up at this ridiculously early time because I have to go to Cornwall. Bath City are playing Truro in the FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round. Dedication or stupidity? You decide.

I had to go into town his afternoon to buy Halo 3 (a game I’ll blog about later in the week). The visit reminded me why I visit the city centre as little as possible.

While sitting down, enjoying a snack from the bakery, Sam and I were approached by an old tramp. Like most “crustys” in Bath, this one wanted money. Anyone who has been to any city, anywhere in the world will have been approached by a beggar asking for money to “buy a cup of tea”, “get a bus home” or simply requesting some “spare change”. You always know the money is going to end up fuelling the drugs industry. Today’s tramp, however, was a little more honest. He approached us, and without beating about the bush, came out and said “Can I have some money for some weed?” I commended him on his honesty, but still gave him fuck all.

Then, while boarding the bus home, my journey was delayed by some awful woman. There was some confusion when purchasing her bus ticket, and when it looked to have been resolved, she continued to moan to the poor bus driver about what a rubbish day she had just had. This went on for a considerable amount of time, with 30+ people were sitting on the bus, waiting to get home. It was as if nobody else was on that vehicle but her, and the driver was her agony aunt. Selfish biatch. She looked a minger, too. If you buy a copy of “The Oxford Picture Dictionary”, and look up “Chav”, you will find a photo of her.

Later on, Simon and I went to The Dolphin for a couple of pints and some dinner. While enjoying our food and drink, we watched the Carling Cup goals coming through on Ceefax – no expense spared down in my local pub! Very pleased that Manchester United lost to Coventry City, although if you try to wind up any ManU fan, they’ll tell you they don’t give a shit about the competition. Inside though, they’ll be crying.

My new hamster’s name is now officially DENNIS WISE, in honour of the great Leeds United manager, and the fact they both have wobbly eyes. Many people I know have threatened to call the RSPCA, simply because of my choice of name – a tad unfair, I must say.

I have owned many hamsters as a child, but these died and had some unfortunate accidents; rolling down the stairs while inside their exercise wheel, jumping off a balcony, falling into a bowl of washing up liquid and taking a swim in a fish tank. All these events, surprisingly, left the poor creatures unharmed.

To avoid any further accidents, I checked out this website. I was most amused by this Q&A.
Do I need to clean my hamster?
Hamsters don’t need to be cleaned, they can clean themselves with their paws.
I’m finding all sorts out about hamsters, I never knew before!

Wisey is currently safe and well, and running in his wheel. He never stops moving, apart from this afternoon when he was fast asleep and I woke him up. Annoyingly for Dennis, now he is awake and ready to play, I can’t be arsed to get him out!

Introducing my new hamster! Don’t ask why I bought it, I just did. He is currently unnamed, but on the naming shortlist is

1) Dennis (Wise)
2) Gus (Poyet)
3) Phil Walsh
4) Dave
5) Simon
6) Samprass
7) Father Jack

He hasn’t bitten me once (yet), despite being woken from his slumber on a number of occasions. When not sleeping, he is extremely erratic, climbing on his bars and he’s running in his fucking wheel – a very noisy habit, and one he’ll be prevented of doing at night (I’ll disconnect it from the side of the cage).

More on the hamster in future blogs. Feel free to suggest names for him, or start taking bets on his lifespan under my care. Skybet are currently offering odds of 3/1 on 2 weeks.

I found my missing headset last night. Somehow it made its way into my socks drawer. How the hell it got there, I do not know. I blame the Underpants Gnomes.

I had a go on the Nintendo Wii for the first time tonight. I was playing Mario Strikers – a strange football game, very original, but with a rather Japanese/Yank stance on the beautiful game. Basically it was very, very strange.

The controller was weird, but after much cursing, I finally mastered it. I do, however, struggle to see how so many people lose grip of their pads and end up smashing TVs, windows and each others skulls. The strap fitted comfortable around my wrist and was in no danger of flying away. I can only assume those who did cause “Damage by Wii” were either
1) Drunk
2) Stupid
3) Hoping to put a dodgy insurance claim in

All in all, a fun bit of kit, and guaranteed fun when lots of friends are round, or when you come back from an evening at the pub. If like me, you want serious gaming, buy an Xbox 360.

This weekend’s “meet-up” with Simon and Watkins took us to The Globe pub. A regular favourite of ours, which for some reason, we hadn’t attended in quite a while.

Regular readers of my blog will know I am a fan of The Globe’s infamous Hunters Chicken dish. On my last few visits, however, I have gone for either steak or pie. Last night I went back to the favourite dish. It must have been 12 months since I last ordered the chicken delicacy, and yesterday’s offering was just as nice as I remembered it to be.

Along with our meal, Simon and I bought Suffolk Cider. I was not aware that the county of Suffolk was famous for its cider, and after drinking it last night, I now know why. Mr. Thatcher and Sir. Sheppy don’t have to worry about losing any of my custom to that Suffolk piss. I’d even drink Strongbow before I bought another bottle of what I had last night!

After the meal, we drove back to my flat. Watkins was going to come in, but then discovered Simon and my terrible secret plan… to watch Match of the Day. As soon as the hint of football was mentioned, Johnny McWatkins hopped back into his car, and sped back home to Wells, leaving Simon and me to watch the football highlights on our own.

I still haven’t had an excuse to moan about the football this season, with both Leeds and Bath City winning again. I’m beginning to forget what it’s like to lose a game!

City beat St. Albans 3-0, thanks to some clumsy defending (on St. Albans’ part), a generous referee and overall world-class skill from the Bath City players (naturally).

Leeds’ win was their seventh consultative victory. This run equals their best ever record, originally set in 1973. I may have a little party if the boys in white make it 8 in a row, next week. Nearly 30,000 fans turned up to watch the game at Elland Road – the highest attendance in the whole of England after Arsenal and Liverpool. Not bad for a “small”, northern League One side.

After the City game I had some important business to deal with – attend the Bath City Supporters Club Annual General Meeting. Lots of top secret stuff was discussed, including plans to warn Chelsea off the Bath City manager, John Relish. I know that it sounds a little sad to be attending meetings on a Saturday; after all I have to go to them in the week, but unlike the ones at work, I was able to buy and consume alcohol.

Everyone loses things; whether it be socks, money, keys or a child, it can be very annoying. Some losses can be explained by carelessness, some things eventually get found, and sometimes things just disappear for no apparent reason – never to be found again.

Last night, I thought I would use my Xbox headset. I could not find it anywhere. Something rather strange as it used to sit comfortable along with my other HiFi and gaming equipment. Despite clearing up the whole media centre, taking a sofa-bed to pieces and emptying various cupboards around my flat, the fucking headset could not be found!

I have absolutely no idea what could have happened to it. Next week is a massive date on the gaming calendar with both Halo 3 and Fifa 08 getting released – an event which looks to set me back £100. As both of this games feature big online features, a headset is an essential bit of kit. The loss couldn’t have happened at a worse time.

I have given up the hunt, and unless by some bizarre miracle I find it in the next few days, I will be buying a replacement along with my other games in the week. Now, do I buy a wired or wireless one?