Re: Thread for UK Yesfans - Part 21

[sam]

Thanks chaps.

Rob - Izzie was a "she" (short for Isobel).

She looks like a lovely, sweet-natured dog, Pete, it's heartbreaking. Try to take comfort from knowing you gave her a good life.

[Meng]

She looks like a lovely, sweet-natured dog, Pete, it's heartbreaking. Try to take comfort from knowing you gave her a good life.

My last two dogs were both black retriever/crossbreed/mongrels, and they were both sweet-natured, happy and - until their last few months - healthy bitches that wouldn't have stood a chance at Crufts (which made them even more adorable).

I don't know yet if I'm going to get another dog, but if I do I know what I want. Again.

[Camphire]

It's rough losing a dog. It's losing a friend. And difficult to even think about getting another one at first.
Early Days, not a desicion you can make for some time.

[TOBYSGRAPHICGOKART]

Also applies to kitties.

[Bluegrunt]

Here's some news for our resident Bristolian:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19746881

Deek has been one of the most exciting footballers I've ever watched, but sadly he hasn't found his place in recent years.
I really hope he can do something for Rovers, as I'm sure he has some great football left in him.

Here's a couple of his very best goals - admittedly from some years ago

[Meng]

Cheers BG.

We could do with a lot of that kind of inspiration at the moment, because the only screaming is the despair coming from the terraces.

[Punj Lizard]

Morning all.

Yesterday I went to Harrow, which is the largest shopping centre for me to reach conveniently - just three stops on the tube or one bus ride - about 15-20 minutes journey time. The other two major shopping centres near me are Watford and Uxbridge, which take about 30-40 minutes to get to by public transport. Ten years ago Harrow had three large CD/DVD shops and, briefly, one small one. Yesterday I discovered the last of these (HMV) had closed down. There is now no retail outlet within 30 minutes of me to buy CDs or DVDs (except perhaps for the most obvious hits in Tesco and maybe even WH Smiths), which I find quite incredible, given that I live in (albeit the suburbs) of the largest city in Britain.

Frankly, I rarely buy CDs or DVDs in shops (or books either), and places like HMV and Waterstones are simply places to browse, which I know must be terribly soul-destroying for the retailers given that they know people like me then go home and order from Amazon. Nonetheless, I'm surprised that the number of people who buy online has now reached the critical point where even in large shopping centres there are no longer enough CD/DVD-buying customers to warrant even one shop. It feels like a watershed. No lack of clothes shops though!

[TOBYSGRAPHICGOKART]

I've often thought that too Jon, but really the likes of HMV are just so goddam expensive it would be madness to pay what they ask. On the likes of Amazon and Play, particularly the marketplaces there, you can sometimes get brand new stuff at quite literally a fraction of the price. Even when HMV have a so-called sale on - which out of desperation, they seem to have more and more these days - they still mostly can't compete with web prices. What are we supposed to do?

It's the same with electrical goods. I go into the likes of the Currys super/mega stores to audition, then buy much cheaper online. A sign of the times I suppose.

[Meng]

Frankly, I rarely buy CDs or DVDs in shops (or books either), and places like HMV and Waterstones are simply places to browse

Even though I buy the vast majority of my digital stuff online now, I'd be more than happy to use a local place like HMV every now and again ... if their prices weren't ridiculous.

About a year or so back, I went into my HMV to check the price of a boxset (I think it was Black Books) to compare. It was close to THREE TIMES what Amazon were charging.

I miss that pre-internet buzz of browsing in places like HMV and Virgin (Zavvi), but those days are gone.

[Punj Lizard]

I couldn't agree more with the two of you. Amazon and co are way cheaper and more convenient. And if the truth be known, I'm not actually sorry to see the retailers (HMV etc.) disappear except for the pleasure of browsing (somewhere to go while Mrs Lizard extends her own browsing time in the clothes and perfume shops). I guess I just didn't realise it had become so unprofitable for the retailers to keep going - I figured there are still plenty of people around who like/prefer to buy in shops or don't have/trust the internet. Guess I was wrong.

Any thoughts on how it works out environmentally? Is it more eco-friendly to have stuff sent to people's houses (from a warehouse in Jersey or wherever in the country/world) or for them to come to the retail outlets? I would've thought the former. One way or another the goods have to get from a (the factory) to b (the buyer's home).

[Bluegrunt]

Interesting discussion.

I think that my whole CD buying habit has been changing in recent years. If I were to review my puchases over the last two years - for the avoidance of doubt, I haven't done such a review - I think I would find that my music purchases fall broadly into two categories. I get a number of archival special releases (the PF Immersion sets, the Mike Oldfield 5.1 releases), and new releases for a small number of favourite artists, and for those I seek the cheapest outlet, which is predominantly online. Generally speaking I don't buy downloads (unless that's the only way the stuff is available).

Other music I buy direct from the artists, usually after seeing them in concert. I've bought a number of folk and singer-songwriter cds from people at concerts, when I get the chance to speak directly to the artist, and I feel that more of the money goes direct to them.

My cd buying has diminished significantly in recent years. My concert attendance has however increased to compensate!

[Punj Lizard]

Interesting discussion.

I think that my whole CD buying habit has been changing in recent years. If I were to review my puchases over the last two years - for the avoidance of doubt, I haven't done such a review - I think I would find that my music purchases fall broadly into two categories. I get a number of archival special releases (the PF Immersion sets, the Mike Oldfield 5.1 releases), and new releases for a small number of favourite artists, and for those I seek the cheapest outlet, which is predominantly online. Generally speaking I don't buy downloads (unless that's the only way the stuff is available).

Other music I buy direct from the artists, usually after seeing them in concert. I've bought a number of folk and singer-songwriter cds from people at concerts, when I get the chance to speak directly to the artist, and I feel that more of the money goes direct to them.

My cd buying has diminished significantly in recent years. My concert attendance has however increased to compensate!

An old school-friend of mine, since school days has always emphasised live music over recorded music in his life. Even back then he used to save his money to go to gigs rather than buy LPs. If he couldn't afford one of his favourite band's latest LP because he had to chose between that and a gig, then the gig took precedence. There's a purity I can admire in that, though I prefer to have music I can listen to over and over. These days, though he can afford both, he will still be on the lookout for gigs before new albums.

[TOBYSGRAPHICGOKART]

I'm the exact opposite to Ian (of late) and Jon's friend. For me, it's always been about the albums first and foremost. I have never been the greatest gig/concert goer even back in my heyday. In recent years family commitments have dictated that I've not been able to make too many concerts anyway, not that I'd have gone out of my way to attend had I been able. I also think the asking price for seeing a band live these days can be pretty outrageous. I am really totally content with the studio stuff though if one of my fave groups bring out a well received Live album or DVD then I'll get that too.

[Meng]

I'm a passionate supporter of live music, but I've had to cut back because I don't want my tinnitus to get any worse (having said that, I'm doing two in two days in November). Also, gigs at standing-only venues are a real problem for me these days.

... and I need the money for expensive box sets. LTIA up next.

[Camphire]

I'm the exact opposite to Ian (of late) and Jon's friend. For me, it's always been about the albums first and foremost. I have never been the greatest gig/concert goer even back in my heyday. In recent years family commitments have dictated that I've not been able to make too many concerts anyway, not that I'd have gone out of my way to attend had I been able. I also think the asking price for seeing a band live these days can be pretty outrageous. I am really totally content with the studio stuff though if one of my fave groups bring out a well received Live album or DVD then I'll get that too.

copy. (The records are more important to me)

Having said that I'm going to a Think Floyd gig tonight and The Bootleg Beatles Tomorrow Night.

(I'm having a little tribute band weekend again!)

[Bluegrunt]

George Harrison on BBC4.
Groovy

[crotale2112]

A little cushin for the pushin is nice.. crotale like :)

[Meng]

Goalscoring problems at Liverpool?

What goalscoring problems at Liverpool?

[Meng]

A little cushin for the pushin is nice.. crotale like :)

The looser the waistband, the deeper the quicksand ...

[TOBYSGRAPHICGOKART]

Goalscoring problems at Liverpool?

What goalscoring problems at Liverpool?

One match does not a season make. However..... I did say last week that if we continue to play as we did against Uniited we would pull away from the drop zone pretty sharpish. Here's hoping this result - somewhat belatedly - kick starts it for us in the Prem. Certainly our performances overall did not warrant us being so low in the table.