Elliot and Lis

An update of what i have & haven't done on my big list.

2008-07-29T22:00:00.001+01:00

Its been a while I thought i should just say Hii and seeing as i really can't be bothered to think of a whole new entry i'm just updating what i've been up to.

1. ~~Sort out the A level situation.~~ (I screwed up phenomenally & decided to retake my AS levels)
2. Play my guitar more frequently.
3. Drive!
4. Go to Paris.
5. More quality time with those I should be spending quality time with.
6. ~~Workhouse Festival.~~ (I decided festivals aren't my thing so didn't go)
7. Find a Job.
8. Learn to save some money.
9. ~~Get a nice tan~~.
10. ~~Try & get my hair all one colour for the first time in YEARS!~~ (mousey/Blonde, its nice)
11. ~~Learn one new thing everyday.~~ (I learnt Barcelona was in Spain & Chile was not the capital of Mexico)
12. Think before I say things that most people would find odd/crude.
13. ~~Cut down on the caffeine intake.~~
14. ~~Tidy my room. (ohyess, the miracle to top all miracles happened)~~
15. Jump in a vast amount of water whilst wearing clothes not intended for bathing.
16. Sell some shit on ebay.
17. Go for a run in the mornings. Or maybe really late at night, a time where no-one can see me at least.
18. Throw a dinner party.
19. ~~Read more frequently~~.
20. Go to Chester zoo.
21. Ride a bike.
22. ~~Buy some curling tongs~~. (i just blow dry it & play with texture, it gievs a sexier style than 'Factory curls')
23. Pretend to be a foreign tourist for the day.
24. Pop a balloon & scare someone.
25. ~~Make a conscious effort to force myself to enjoy football.~~ (Euro 08)
26. Learn to knit.
27. As above but make a scarf or something pointless.
28. Meet someone actually famous- Rugby players don't count apparently...
29. ~~Meet more rugby players.~~ (Funny story, you wouldn't believe it, but me & Lis are FOXES!)
30. Go to more rugby games in the 08/09 season than i did 07/08 season.
31. ~~Plan a holiday on my own with no parental intervention.~~ (sort of planning Paris or Dublin with Lis)
32. ~~Go on more train journeys than 2007.~~
33. Try & eat sushi without vomiting.
34. Touch a snake.
35. Learn/remember what very little & awful French I know.
36. Stay on the phone for more than 3 hours.
37. Have a big BBQ with some mates & some brews over summer.
38. Have a BBQ with some mates & some brews in winter/rain.
39. Practice my singing everyday until I sound good.
40. ~~Learn to have a clue what's going on in British politics.~~ (I watch too many news programmes now)
41. Teach someone something new.
42. Get my big 'picnic blanket scarf' count to above 10.
43. ~~Buy an Anya Hindmarch bag.~~ (i'm not a plastic bag)
44. ~~Stop just babbling at Eilis when she is revising/learn to control my compulsive chattering~~ (shes not revising anymore, so basically this ones done...)
45. Learn that Wikipedia although wonderful is not the bottom line for all arguments, just most of them.
46. Attempt to broaden my piano playing talents (or lack of)
47. Try and tone down my tendency to exaggerate everything.
48. ~~Take more photos.~~ (sexy new DSLR camera)
49. When I say to someone I haven't seen in ages "We should have a catch up & coffee" actually go through with it.
50. Remember everyone's Birthdays.
51. Win something at a crappy beach-side arcade.
52. Start writing songs again.
53. Have my nails done.
54. ~~If there is a sign of rain carry an umbrella with me.~~ (ohyess! My already full handbag is even more so)
54. ~~Stop having the urge to go "ella ella, eh eh eh" EVERYTIME I hear/think of the word umbrella.~~ (I didn't do it when i re-read the above goal)
55. ~~Get stung by nettles~~.
56. ~~Save a spider from the bath, rather than just poking it down the plughole.~~
57. Work out why the toastie machine no longer works.
58. Buy or encourage my dad to buy a new toastie machine.
59. Go to Barracuda bar & watch some super 14.
60. Try not to have such an annoying accent.
61. ~~Get my dad to take me shopping & spoil me rotten like he used to.~~
62. Spend less time online.
63~~. Change my hair.~~
64. Go easier on the sexual innuendos. It would probably surprise people that I don't live in a Carry On film.
65. ~~Get a new type of animal.~~ (chickens & soon a mouse- i hope)
66. Maybe own a secret mouse!
67. Eat chili & chocolate.
68. Get locked in the park.
69. Drink a whole multi pack of Aldi's cheapo red bull & preferably don't die.
70. Be less rugby orientated. (I actually doubt this will be crossed off)
71. ~~Go on more frequent adventures with friends.~~
72. ~~Watch more films.~~
73. ~~Watch more TV~~. (does series marathons of Grey's Anatomy count?)
74. Have a picture taken with a random member of the public.
75. ~~Not spend all my credit within 48 hours.~~
76. Eat a whole tub of ice-cream whilst watching a chick flick.
77. ~~Find & buy some more perfectly fitting jeans.~~
78. Change my bedtime to something reasonable.
79. Change the time I get up to something reasonable.
80. Paint my toenails frequently.
81. Pay people more compliments.
82. ~~Find a nice boy.~~
83. ~~Get the nice boy to think I'm as nice as I think he is.~~
84. Stop telling my dad he talks shit as regularly as I do
85. Get into more arguments.
86. Become more decisive.
87. Meet Mathew Tait & or Richard Wigglesworth & not embarrass myself (ha!)

That's Eleanor Plant over & out for now.

Fuel Prices

2008-06-05T10:08:00.001+01:00

Okay, I don't drive, so maybe i'm the wrong person to argue about this, but... £1.16 a litre? its not that much really if you think about it.

You'll all happily fork out for over-priced, out of season produce shipped in from all over the world. When you're off on your holidays you don't complain about the prices of air travel or being charged on luggage. You also all think suddenly its almost fashionable to be green with the influx of 'organic' clothing and all you're nice little shopping bags that make you look like your saving the environment.

So why is forking out a little more for a valuable resource that is in high demand and is gradually running out such a preposterous idea? Personally I think this whole 'catastrophe' of fuel prices is going to do good in the long run for the environment and probably for people's health and way of life.

Okay, I 'spose if you start using public transport you may end up later for everything than you already were, also maybe not get a seat or worse off sit by someone with bad BO, but as a whole, you walk to the bus stop getting a lovely blast of morning air to wake you up and can be all smug "well, actually due to the increase of worry about the o-zone layer, I decided to do my part and catch a bus, aren't I marvelous?"

Once upon a time cars weren't in every driveway, people knew where their food was coming from, and ate with the seasons, and budget airlines were a ridiculous idea. If we could survive without it before then why, oh why can't we now. And If you're one of them narrow minded idiots, like the ones who wear leather shoes & complain about hunting & eating meat, and don't actually have the common sense to realise that the cuts being made by regular households due to the "credit crunch" could actually be doing humanity good, deriving from our predominantly materialistic way of life, I 'spose my thoughts have fallen on deaf ears.

I'm not going to be a dictator, like everyone else I have sold out on my beliefs for a Big Mac or enjoyed just driving somewhere far away just for the love of long car journeys, but of you want these perks then pay for them, which leads me into worrying why is western society now so selfish they won't pay for a privilege and expect everything to be at bargain prices?

Elliot
x

Champions league final, Guinness premiership final, and some other stuff.

2008-05-22T10:17:00.001+01:00

So neither am I a football fan, and most certainly I am not a Manchester United fan, I do have slightly more respect than that. But I am a fan of good and exciting sport, and last night was a good example of that, even if it went on for two hours, and then some for penalties. My heart went out to Chelsea, mainly because my grudge against most Manchester United 'fans' , In my opinion you're not a fan if you've never seen 'your team' play and the probability of people that say they support Manchester united or Liverpool actually being fan is minimal, I bet half of them couldn't place their clubs place of residence on a map!

As well as the fans, I'm still not fond of football, or footballers. It'd take more than a good game because simply the amount of bitching, moaning between the players and the ref is disgusting. Maybe they should go the way of rugby & only allow the offending player and the captain to talk to the Ref. Lets be fair, if I was being paid a disgusting amount of money to do what they do, on the 90 minutes I'm on public display I'd learn to keep my mouth shut, learn or at least pay someone to teach me manners!

Well that almost marks the end of the winter sports season, there's the Guinness Premiership final between Wasps and Leicester this weekend, personally even if it is impossible I hope they both lose, its an unfair way to gain the title; whilst the top of the table was tight Wasps were way down the lower half of the table & in a few good games snuck to gain the title. Maybe Cipriani's fracture dislocation is some sort of karma, a very cruel & painful sounding karma to say the least, and I wish him a speedy recovery. Okay, play-offs help fans see how players perform in different types of competition, which is nice to see I spose, but really out of the play-off four this year the only ones to really deserve the title were Gloucester, they kept the top of the table for ages, surely that's a feat, to play 22 games & be top should be a worthy enough cause for silverware.

Well, rant over, well done to Manchester united, Leicester and Wasps, I spose. Commiserations Chelsea, Gloucester and Bath, and everyone else that's now missed out on silverware. In 2 weeks euro 08 starts up, and then not so long after we start the premierships all over again. To say I can't wait is an understatement!

Elliot
xx

P.S. I have completed a few of my list;
Went shopping with dad, have some chickens now, got some good jeans & spent Sunday afternoon/evening& early hours of Monday watching films.

A large list of things to do before 2008 is over.

2008-05-16T13:49:00.001+01:00

Out of sheer boredom I thought maybe I should try & achieve something this year. Or at least do a few things I've not done this year that everyone probably "should" do in their lifetime.

1. Sort out the A level situation.
2. Play my guitar more frequently.
3. Drive!
4. Go to Paris.
5. More quality time with those I should be spending quality time with.
6. Workhouse Festival.
7. Find a Job.
8. Learn to save some money.
9. ~~Get a nice tan~~.
10. Try & get my hair all one colour for the first time in YEARS!
11. Learn one new thing everyday.
12. Think before I say things that most people would find odd/crude.
13. ~~Cut down on the caffeine intake.~~
14. Tidy my room.
15. Jump in a vast amount of water whilst wearing clothes not intended for bathing.
16. Sell some shit on ebay.
17. Go for a run in the mornings. Or maybe really late at night, a time where no-one can see me at least.
18. Throw a dinner party.
19. ~~Read more frequently~~.
20. Go to Chester zoo.
21. Ride a bike.
22. Buy some curling tongs.
23. Pretend to be a foreign tourist for the day.
24. Pop a balloon & scare someone.
25. ~~Make a conscious effort to force myself to enjoy football.~~
26. Learn to knit.
27. As above but make a scarf or something pointless.
28. Meet someone actually famous- Rugby players don't count apparently...
29. ~~Meet more rugby players.~~
30. Go to more rugby games in the 08/09 season than i did 07/08 season
31. Plan a holiday on my own with no parental intervention.
32. ~~Go on more train journeys than 2007.~~
33. Try & eat sushi without vomiting.
34. Touch a snake.
35. Learn/remember what very little & awful French I know.
36. Stay on the phone for more than 3 hours.
37. Have a big BBQ with some mates & some brews over summer.
38. Have a BBQ with some mates & some brews in winter/rain.
39. Practice my singing everyday until I sound good.
40. Learn to have a clue what's going on in British politics.
41. Teach someone something new.
42. Get my big 'picnic blanket scarf' count to above 10.
43. Buy an Anya Hindmarch bag.
44. Stop just babbling at Eilis when she is revising (learn to control my compulsive chattering)
45. Learn that Wikipedia although wonderful is not the bottom line for all arguments, just most of them.
46. Attempt to broaden my piano playing talents (or lack of)
47. Try and tone down my tendency to exaggerate everything.
48. Take more photos.
49. When I say to someone I haven't seen in ages "We should have a catch up & coffee" actually go through with it.
50. Remember everyone's Birthdays.
51. Win something at a crappy beach-side arcade.
52. Start writing songs again.
53. Have my nails done.
54. If there is a sign of rain carry an umbrella with me.
54. Stop having the urge to go "ella ella, eh eh eh" EVERYTIME I hear/think of the word umbrella.
55. ~~Get stung by nettles~~.
56. ~~Save a spider from the bath, rather than just poking it down the plughole.~~
57. Work out why the toastie machine no longer works.
58. Buy or encourage my dad to buy a new toastie machine.
59. Go to Barracuda bar & watch some super 14.
60. Try not to have such an annoying accent.
61. Get my dad to take me shopping & spoil me rotten like he used to.
62. Spend less time online.
63. Change my hair.
64. Go easier on the sexual innuendos. It would probably surprise people that I don't live in a Carry On film.
65. Get a new type of animal.
66. Maybe own a secret mouse!
67. Eat chili & chocolate.
68. Get locked in the park.
69. Drink a whole multi pack of Aldi's cheapo red bull & preferably don't die.
70. Be less rugby orientated. (I actually doubt this will be crossed off)
71. ~~Go on more frequent adventures with friends.~~
72. Watch more films.
73. Watch more TV.
74. Have a picture taken with a random member of the public.
75. ~~Not spend all my credit within 48 hours.~~
76. Eat a whole tub of ice-cream whilst watching a chick flick.
77. Find & buy some more perfectly fitting jeans.
78. Change my bedtime to something reasonable.
79. Change the time I get up to something reasonable.
80. Paint my toenails frequently.
81. Pay people more compliments.
82. Find a nice boy.
83. Get the nice boy to think I'm as nice as I think he is.
84. Stop telling my dad he talks shit as regularly as I do
85. Get into more arguments.
86. Become more decisive.
87. Meet Mathew Tait & or Richard Wigglesworth & not embarrass myself (ha!)

Lets see if i can do at least 70% of them!

Elliot

OH, WOE IS ME

2008-05-13T20:02:00.003+01:00

Just a weekly update into the life of Lis... except it's the first one ever.

In other words, I'm writing something to keep Elle happy.

So, this weekend was the final of our practice expeditions for our gold Duke of Edinburgh walk, which will be taking place some time the end of June. There I was, all ready and packed for a 3 day adventure into the hills of Wales, my 65L bag upon my back and the inner of our tent stuffed somewhere within it; gosh was it heavy.
We set off at 5pm Friday, the 20 odd degrees eating at me (I think such heat in England at that time should be banned) while we walked towards our first 'wild' camp site in the middle of a forest somewhere near Glyn Ceriog. As always, my group seemed to be forced to leave last, so by the time we finally got to the camp -- after almost getting lost -- it was dark and those retched midges began biting. For some reason I've always found they go for the same people, and I, happen to be one of those people. Anyway, we decided then would be a good time to set up our tent, convenient, no? However, I began hanging the inside of the tent up to realise we didn't have the right one; instead of having the inner of a two man tent, we had the inner of a four man tent -- no wonder my bag was so heavy, I was carrying twice the weight. But with my ~~great~~ camping skills, I made it work. Even through the absolutely amazing thunderstorm we had that night, we somehow managed to stay dry.

By Sunday I was sweaty and exhausted, it's a nice picture to paint, don't you think? So, I decided that instead of pulling my tracksuit bottoms back on and sweltering in the heat, I'd wear my pyjama shorts. It really was a stroke of genius if I do say so myself, not to mention it would allow my legs to tan a little. We began walking up hill after hill and trying to make sure we didn't get too muddy, but apparently I had other plans when I stepped straight into bog -- which went straight up to my knee. It was actually quite refreshing and cool, I'll admit, but I sure did look a sight with my pyjama shorts on (which look like they have mini Eskimos on them) and mud up to my knees.

I do think I'm getting a bit fitter though; I'm not sore at all after that gruelling 30 or so mile walk. Well, my feet are a different story... But at least I got a nice tan. :]

Anywayy,
over and out,
Eilis.
xx

Oi Oi, Remember me?

2008-04-29T19:03:00.001+01:00

S'been a while ain't it!? Well in my head it has been, but I could've wrote here an hour or two ago & it'd feel like forever has passed.

Nice of Eilis doing her part & updating (!)

I also had a bit of a kerfuffle trying to re-find windows live writer (ever so handy little program that takes the stress of signing into blogger disappear as it does it all automatically- another pro point is not needing to upload pictures to something like Flickr or Photobucket to then put in HTML codes when you can just select an image from my documents & shove it in). Oh, isn't technology grand?!

So Ashton's gone, I decided not to jump on the band wagon & slag him off/ defend him whilst everyone was talking about it. I feel a little bad about being mean to him, but in my defence he did do some remarkably stupid things! I'm indifferent about Martin Johnson, He's a good leader. But is he a manager? Personally I don't think so, but as captain he obviously worked closely with Woodward (awh, i miss him) and his team around that time we won that cup that was a bit good, so he knows how a good management structure can help. Anyway that's boring me now. Lets change the subject again.

Sale are out of the European Challenge cup. C'est terrible! Although I was told by a first hand informant (Aunty Sheena) that Wiggy looked MAGNIFICENT, not good; magnificent, thats m'boy! I bloody hope Worcester absolutely kill Bath, doubt it though. Oh and Sharks may just make it to the Guinness Premiership play-offs, 2 wins (preferably with bonus points for four tries a game) is all we need, I can see 'quins away being a lot tougher than London Irish at home (cue complaints from Lis) due to the fact 'Quins are capable of a play-off place as well. & in other Sale news I bloody hope Dwayne Peel is fit for the start of next season, Okay if he's out of the Wales tour to South Africa, him & Henson being injured sort of screws with Gatland's love for having as many options as possible at 9,10 & 12. I like that. I hate Wales and any loss that's available I like to see them go through, especially if James Hook is on the pitch, my he annoys me and I don't even know why!

Oh and here's a shocker, I have started to enjoy... football.
Elliot "I like rugby I do" Plant likes football.
It's not so bad when they're not being pussies or disgustingly overpaid, that's why I like the underdog. I've got behind Fulham at the moment, its GREAT! Next season I'll find a team I actually like/ will go see (i find it irritating when people say they support a team then have nothing to do with the team, buy no shirts or anything & worst of all say "i've supported ___ for years" and turns out they've never been to the home ground or even seen 'their team' play.)

Ohm, what else can I tell you?
My new career plan would probably have the job description of;
"Gabby Logan, but brunette, actual passion about most sports and of course, a better rack"
I'm still sifting through uni prospectuses. Decided that I'm re-taking my AS courses next year, maybe then I won't be so damn Ill & not fall behind again. Then onto sports journalism, some sort of broadcasting degree or PR, I think.

Anyway I am feeling rather restless & excitable for no real reason so I am going to go before i start saying stupid things (yes, I know i usually babble stupid things, but what i mean is babble stupid things I don't really mean)

Yes.

Elliot! :]]
xxx

Louis Theroux's African Hunting Holiday.

2008-04-07T13:12:00.001+01:00

You may not like what I am going to say, I don't really care. I am going to tell you now I am Pro Hunting. What can you say to that? Well not a lot really because you will never be able to call me a murderer, I could never pull a trigger on an animal, even if I enjoy shooting. And I can back up almost everything I think on the subject quite well.

I'm not vegetarian, I'm far from vegan, I really don't think anyone has the right to try and dispel my arguments unless somehow they have completely managed to avoid any animal product throughout their lives. Personally I make sure the animals I do eat have had a relatively good life- as much as an animal bred to die can. Personally in my own opinion the positive thing of big game hunting industry is the fact that these animals are being bred and the species kept alive thanks to the money put in by the hunters. If two words farming and hunting are put into a conversation one will cause a spilt or a complete negative response whereas another would just be normal topic of conversation. To eat meat from a industrial source i find a whole lot more repulsive and offensive than someone going out taking an unsuspecting animal who has lived an active and free life, and died a quick death.

People argue that its cruel if it goes wrong. Yes, it can be but the sort of people to hunt are the sort of people to care about animals, they will make sure its a quick kill and that if something goes wrong they track the injured animals and make sure their pain is ended abruptly. A typical hunter has a view of animals most City dwellers or urbanites don't. I'm not one to say "oh yes, I'm a country girl through and through" because I'm not, neither am I a typical City lass, but I could lamb a sheep, milk a cow and catch a chicken no questions asked. In my opinion Hunting is not as cruel as keeping an animal in confinement and then shooting them and slashing their neck, or maybe knocking them out via electrocution just incase it doesn't take one shot to kill them. After all that's what has happened to that piece of meat you just brought form the supermarket isn't it?

Whilst watching Said program in the title of this blog I found myself completely fascinated for 60 minutes. Despite being increasingly agitated by ignorant Americans saying "its all in the cost, if I was wealthy I would probably have any animal" To me that's not what hunting is about that is an ignorant idiot toting a gun. He is not a hunter he is a prick. Although some of the arguments made by the game farmers were flawless they let themselves down by saying "you have to pull the trigger to know the difference" I also find myself disagreeing with that. I am pro hunting anti farming (unless of course it is closely monitored and of an extremely high ethical standard) i could never pull a trigger but i can understand fully the appeal and the psychological aspects of hunting, and also that it is sometimes to have a benefit to the eco system something we are fast destroying in the UK, for example city foxes. Foxes do not eat out of bins, they hunt they stalk they scavenge, they are (or were) typically kept down by hunts with dogs.

Which brings me on nicely to the subject of working dogs, my dad works my dogs, they are a working pair. My Jack Russell cross sweeps the hedgerows turfing out rabbits and the Whippet swoops them up. They work as a team and are probably a lot more mentally stimulated than most dogs. Dogs Kill, that's instinctively what they do. People kill animals, its what we instinctively do. I have no issues with my dogs killing rabbits, pigeons, ducks whatever they can get if they are quick enough. I know that if they don't make a clean kill my dad would put the animal out of its misery as soon as possible (he did it to a pigeon once in a park that the dogs had managed to catch and ended up pulling its head right off in front of a small child whilst ringing the birds neck) But yet again I am not a killer, I have to keep the dogs under full control with me, mainly because if they brought me a dead rabbit i actually wouldn't know what to do with it, I'd probably run away screaming and be sort of upset. So balls to the idea that I'm a complete heartless hard-ass.

Hate me now don't you? ha! :]

Elliot
x

Sale 22- Bath 6.

2008-03-31T18:09:00.002+01:00

28th march 2008. 19.45 kick off. Edgeley Park

I have a new nickname, well not a new one, a revived one from my childhood; Running foghorn. I was a noisy bastard when i was little I used to go around shouting & ... well running. Its part of being the oldest I think, having to be able to amuse yourself without siblings from a young age. Turns out my aunt & uncle didn't believe I was a noisy bastard at rugby matches too, (they've only ever taken me to Sale V Leeds before, a rather un-shout worthy performance.) My reasoning is they need encouragement if the opposition are right on the try line, and seeing as we were sitting behind the posts the furthest away from the line we were defending i had to shout a little louder so they heard me... and maybe it would be fun to make the people in front jump a little :)

Anyway, Edgeley Park seemed to resemble a swimming pool as we got through the turnstiles and made our way up towards our seats behind the posts. I really couldn't see how it would be a good game at all and worried that a whole lot of loose ball and just awful conditions would make me end up twiddling my thumbs for 80 minutes. There was a few moments where watching members of Baths bench warm up seemed slightly more amusing, but if you've ever seen the long coats they wear and them hopping about it is easy to get distracted and end up laughing at them.

Charlie Hodgson of course gets a mention, as he does in almost every Sale review. 100% accuracy at kicking at goal. Its a shame he's not a household name like Wilkinson or a Media whore like Cipriani, otherwise he would be a strong contender for the England no 10 jersey. This may come across as me being biased but in my opinion he has been the best fly-half in the Guinness premiership.

Well, I'll finish this at a later date, I do not feel very witty or literate at the moment, I have contracted the flu and feel awful. Its time to watch the Simpsons in bed i think.

Bye for now!

Elliot!

England u20s Grand slam Winners 2008

2008-03-16T17:32:00.001Z

Waheyyy!

I can't comment on the whole match, we were late getting there so I missed the first 20 minutes, Don't even ask about it, something to do with the person who was supposed to be driving showing up to pick us us nearly 2 hours late. I was fuming, I find lateness one of the most annoying and rude things anyone can ever do!

But from what I did see it was AMAZING! Well from an English point of view, the Irish seem to give up running the ball or trying anything interesting after half time mainly concentrating on the line out, keeping the scrum up and pinning down English Blind-side flanker Jonathon Fisher who was making some fantastic runs almost every time he got the ball, not only is he huge and can take some massive hits, he's unexpectedly quick.

Missing the first few minutes ensured I missed a Hugo Ellis try, (one out of seven all together for England) and a Hugo Ellis broken hand which is quite lucky otherwise I would've been like "oh NOOOOOOOOO HUGOOOOOOOO!" well, even more than I was when I saw him limping across to the bench and quickly Texted Eilis who shared my concern for our favourite ginger, wasps player.

The second half was again full of life, with England passing and running confidently ball in hand. Rather than doing the same as their older counterparts (Ashton's men) kicking for possession non-stop. Alex Goode wasn't on top form Kicking wise but he seems comfortable to make way for Leeds Flyhalf Adam Greendale and take the inside centre shirt, rather than the number ten I saw him play in against Wales just over a month ago.

The main thing is England Deserved the grand slam I can't wait for players to start coming through to the senior squad. But before then I hope a lot of these players will be at the junior world cup, the chemistry between them is fantastic, they are proof that the academy structures work and work well. Also another plus point (I won't list them all if any of them read this we wouldn't want them to get big headed) they are Lovely lovely boys, I ended up chatting to a few afterwards even if they had just won a trophy they were still willing to talk to fans something you wouldn't really expect from international standard players. (this included a really Embarrassing conversation with Tom Sargeant about me getting his name wrong on one of my flickr pictures, oh dear, at least I got remembered eh?)

Anyhoo that's the main bulk of rugby coverage done for this season, I'll keep you up to date on any rugby outing I may go on (maybe one of the Sale home games in the next 2 weeks due to it being half term & I can blag a ticket and stay in Rudyard again :) ) But if I don't find myself at Edgeley Park anytime in the next few weeks keep your eyes posted for my rugby rants about the Junior world cup and my wonderful opinions of Ashton's dismissal/Pardon for England's performance in the six nations.

Oh and I nearly got Killed at Kingsholm For being a sale fan, I accidentaly said a Bit out loud "EEEEE MARTHAAA! Sale are beating Gloucester- AV ITTTTT!" when the scores were being updated and got a few dirty looks.
Who knows what I will fill the blog with then, maybe Lis should write something! ahah!

Elliot
X

PS go see my flickr/myspace for all the new rugby pics, it takes to long to shove them on here.

PPS Any of the England u20s read this i'm single ;) ahahaha!

PPS And so is Eilis.

PPPS She wouldn't let me make jokes about her wanting Hugo... :P

Rumour has it

2008-03-12T16:59:00.004Z

Whilst me& my dad were having a huge debate about modern rugby (the one where he bitches about Rugby going the same way as football & Selling out by buying international players... then goes and credits teams such as Gloucester) I googled for Ashton's contract, to see when its running out, according to the Guardian he's out on his arse any time now, seeing as he was only kept on after the world cup by the skin of his teeth, and has gone to lose 10 of 21 test matches whilst in charge.

From what I have gathered its curtains for Brian Ashton even if England perform well against Ireland, And former Springboks coach Jake White is hotly tipped to change the English luck, hopefully. The IRB is starting their review of the six nations and if seen that Ashton's regime has not been benefiting the England team he's out.

I feel quite bad for exaggerating my dismay at some of Ashton's choices now. Actually, that's a lie, How can he make no changes other than Wilkinson after the awful team performance during the Calcutta cup game against Scotland. At least his plans to play Cipriani at 15 last week seemed slightly legible. And I would like that to have come into play to shake up the England squad in one last attempt to grab back some dignity, rather that scapegoating one player, such as Wilkinson when there's some complete idiots on the 15 that should have been dropped week one, or not even had a chance to get anywhere near the training squads. -coughs- Balshaw -coughs- Vainakolo -coughs-

Well, Best of luck Ashton, I'm not going to be mean to you anymore. Well, I'll try not to be.

And with White in charge I think I should most definitely go work for the IRB/RFU, I need to give that man a high five.

At the end of the rugby debate, my dad couldn't fight back, so ended it with "You're a rugby slag." and then constantly calling me Cips/Cipriani, Worra Odd Man.

Elliot.

PS this took me like 8 billion hours to write I've been doing that thing I call Sucking up to go to rugby games; Most others call it housework.

Maybe I should rant.

2008-03-10T22:21:00.002Z

I'm in a vile mood.

It all seems too obvious to slag off English rugby and Ashton as I normally do though. I will try to keep it short.

-Brian Ashton this week dropped Danny Cipriani like Balshaw receiving a high ball. (due to reasons I am guessing are slightly more that leaving a night club late, me and Lis have decided its due to me and the immaculate conception of his child, seeing as I have been nauseous, tired and groggy all week.) ((its my attempt at a joke, you're supposed to laugh now.))

-England then went on to play an awful, undisciplined game against Scotland, making sure they definitely will not get their hands on any silverware this Six Nations Tournament.
-Basically, I wish I had carried my threats out to turn the television off at half time, sadly I could not bring myself to miss any part of a six nations game, as I have not done that since England Played Ireland in the 2003 competition due to a wedding (its okay I sat in the car and listened to it on the radio)
So I'm Just simply going to say well played Scotland. Still only one try all tournament but you pushed England into mistakes, which seems to be the easiest way to win a game of rugby nowadays, Who needs tries when you could have a biased ref!
I like how you're fly-half only touches the ball for penalties and is a national hero, whereas ours this week is the subject of yet another Aston decision that could turn the English against him. It was not optimal conditions for fly-halves, Leave Johnny alone he was my first rugby player crush and for that I'll love him unconditionally forever.

And that I adored the Wales Ireland game so much it was unreal! Despite the obvious scrappiness of the Welsh they are becoming a team with a lot more than Luck on their side. Mike Phillips played excellently with Stephen Jones much better than the Peel/Jones or Phillips/Hook pairings at nine & ten. Shane Williams as ever shined, I'm not sure if the man of the match was really deserved- he seems to be playing like that every week now.
Oh, and a fantastic display from Ireland- I mean with Trimble at Inside centre its hard not to look good, even if you are playing slow and boring rugby...
Eilis' mum pointing out he's just her type and the conclusion that he's a "pointy featured François Steyn" made my weekend!

France V Italy? Well no need to over examine a fantastic performance from the French. Italy should've done better but didn't, a line that should go on any Italian players headstone.
I now want two mice. Named Vincent Clerc & Aurelien Rougerie, It'll be funny enough to see my dads face when he finds out I have pet mice (he despises rodents) Yet alone to see his face when he discovers they are named after the French Back row.

Anyway apparently I talk about rugby too much, I apologise. If I tried anything else I would feel lost.
Lis has Started on the LiveJournal ... about time! ;]
All to do with what to wear this spring summer.

Hopefully, Kingsholm Friday night to see the England u20s in their last game of this six nations, going for a grand slam. Squeeee! ^.^ Hopefully more pics with players, I'm going to push my luck for numbers & Shirts ahaha! (sorry, rugby based talk again)

I'm going to the beach tomorrow- convinced my photography tutor I would do some work if I went! hahaha, unlikely...
My Flickr might fill up with daft pics though

Technorati Tags: Elliot and lis. Livejournal,Rugby union,Six nations 2008,England V Scotland,Wales V Ireland,France V Italy,England u20 grand slam,Kingsholm stadium,New brighton,college,WNSC,Rugby players

Six nations Vs Tri-nations

2008-02-28T13:38:00.000Z

Today I found something dead good. Like really amazingly, fantastically, surreally, piss-taking-ly interesting. A match between the winners of the six nations and the winners of the tri-nations. According to the good old BBC there's to be talks this weekend about it.

I can see people would be opposed to it, The practicality of when the nations tournaments are and when would you fit in this match? If its after tri-nations the six nations team may not be playing to their optimum level months after winning the Six nations, or the southern hemisphere team could have vast amounts of players out through injury.
There would also be a lot of focus on whoever wins this match and then this could be interpreted as "this team are the best in the world" taking the glittering excitement, and exclusiveness out of the World Cup. In my opinion that could become a slight issue, but why not take the top two teams of both tournaments and play a competition, where the points of the hemisphere are taken into account rather than the teams so its more of a North V South thing. It wouldn't have to be yearly, maybe every other year, in a selection of venues, so fans all around the world can see these games.
Which leads me nicely onto the fact that people will say the IRB is selling out just like the FA. If you step back and think about this with your head and not your heart; you buy the shirts & team merchandise, you watch the games, this is a change that could benefit the sport as a whole, making it more available to a larger audience. When England won the world cup in 2003 how many young lads got more interested in rugby- they could be future players, all because of media coverage bringing attention to the game, now England have had two consecutive places in world cup finals and work is being done to try and achieve another.
You can't deny that more frequent cross over between the hemispheres will make the game more interesting, you'll be able to keep an eye on players that will be up and coming in future world cups. I have seen only one Televised match involving a SH Team since The World Cup final, and that was South Africa V Wales. It would be nice to be able to watch teams we only see play on TV in the UK every four years more often. We only ever see two-types of rugby; "French flair" and England's Smothering forwards. all other teams in the Six nations stick somewhere between these two main categories. (I would go on to talk about how lovely I think southern hemisphere boys are here if i wasn't so passionate about this idea.)
And Finally (well not finally, but i do have to end this entry sooner or later) There was a mention of wearing out players, Well if that's an issue why not stop them playing club rugby! They are rugby players- its what they do best, I'm sure they would see playing in this match as a privilege not a chore and if are fully fit for selection why not!?

Also Ashton- I know you read this, you've been doing everything you can to upset me with your selections So seeing as you've selected a fair few players which has made me bang my head repeatedly against hard objects I suggest you don't do any of the following :
Tait for Balshaw at fullback.
Cipriani on the bench but on at half-time in place of whoever's on the back row and not had the most glamorous first half.
Vainakolo on the bench for a last quarter surge if needs be, get Strettle some magic healing thing that will make him all better instantaneously and put him the starting XV on instead.
And if theres some more of that magic healing stuff going pass it to Haskell & Moody.

AND DEFINATELY DON'T BRING BACK BEN COHEN & JOSH LEWSEY!

(See what I'm doing? good old reverse psychology...)

Elliot.
x

We were on 13 posts.

2008-02-25T22:13:00.003Z

I'm superstitious. So I have to do something to fix that otherwise I'll freak out :S

I'll tell you how I'm learning French again ahead of going to Paris (& hopefully a Stade Francias game) for my 18th with Lis- no matter how much she rejects. Its my 18th and I will pay for her, even if that means converting to a life of crime and kidnapping pedigree mutts. (inside joke to do with London Irish Charity golf event happening Wednesday that we wanted to attend)

Okay post 14 over and out!

Elliot!
xx

ps. Lis is fixing our LiveJournal. and Maybe I should sort the myspace, Soon you won't be able to get away from us.
pps. A BBC man/woman should give us a job I think... I don't want to be mediocre.

Ooh Wiggy Woo

2008-02-24T14:17:00.003Z

France 13 - 24 England

'AV ITT!

or, I could be a little kinder to our friends across the channel

and say...
"Ça ira mieux la prochaine fois !"

Oui?

I told you all Wigglesworth would be good... despite my doubts he'd slow every breakdown to snails pace,as he has been doing for Sale lately. (I do love him, I even have a song about him, so do not take this as me being mean!)

I think the downfall of the French was mainly youth and inexperience, a good thing to get out of the way three years before New Zealand 2011. Saying that though one of my favourite players to watch the past few weeks have been Vincent Clerc, Traille has been consistant throughout as well, but its what's expected of the Biarritz Olympique player. And after Saturday nights game I found my jaw dropping at 19 year old, scrum-half Morgan Parra... Not only for distracting me from Toby Flood momentarily (who had a good game, but a severe lack of ball), but skill and confidence in such a large starting debut, Shame he has a French accent :(

Au Revoir!
Elliot!
x

I do love mine & Lis' conversations on msn!

cerulean winters. says :
what lyrics would you say represent us??

- .!Squeaky Nell says (21:27):
me & you?

cerulean winters. says (21:27):
aye.

- .!Squeaky Nell says (21:27):
hmm i dont know

cerulean winters. says (21:27):
>.< or just a song
or something

- .!Squeaky Nell says (21:28):
I think of you when flux comes on coz we were like "RAVE TIME!"

cerulean winters. says (21:28):
oo, yeahh!

- .!Squeaky Nell says (21:28):
i'll look & see if the lyrics are suitable

cerulean winters. says (21:28):
kayy

- .!Squeaky Nell says (21:29):
hmm

cerulean winters. says (21:29):
...not really
how about an alexis song or something? orr city and colour?
..how aboout a Chris brown song? >.<

- .!Squeaky Nell says (21:33):
ooooh

- .!Squeaky Nell says (21:34):
Or umberella ella ella eh eh eh !

cerulean winters. says (21:34):
ahahah

-quite a while of non-conversation-

- .!Squeaky Nell says (21:37):
A song that sums us up; Swing low sweet chariot

"Grab a napkin homie, you've just been served!"

2008-02-21T22:26:00.003Z

England: Balshaw (Gloucester), Sackey (Wasps), Noon (Newcastle), Flood (Newcastle), Vainikolo (Gloucester); Wilkinson (Newcastle), Wigglesworth (Sale); Sheridan (Sale Sharks), Regan (Bristol), Vickery (Wasps, capt), Shaw (Wasps), Borthwick (Bath), Haskell (Wasps), Lipman (Bath), Easter (Harlequins).
Replacements: Mears (Bath), Stevens (Bath), Kay (Leicester), Croft (Leicester), Hodgson (London Irish), Cipriani (Wasps), Tait (Newcastle).

NOOOOOOOO! NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!!!

-sulks-

I swear Brian Ashton must read this... And must hate me!

Not only is he depriving England of a Decent fullback- he's depriving me of Matthew Tait!

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

I'm going to watch Skins, oh wait! That wont help! The gorgeous Maxie is GAY!

This worlds against me! Take me on holiday/deliver me François Steyn/sort out my OVERLY blonde hair/make me a cuppa & tell me everything's going to be all okay NOW please!

A very Distressed Elliot
x
ps. If it means Balshaw is off the England squad I promise never to be mean again to you ever Mr Ashton :)

Sale Sharks V Leeds Carnegie

2008-02-18T20:01:00.005Z

Hola! (mhmm, what a cultured hello)

This weekend I went to my very first Sale home match and I was incredibly excited, if your a Sale fan you would probably complain about the standard of play and I won't pretend that wasn't an issue that need correcting almost immediately.
But talk of people planning on not renewing their season tickets, I put down purely to just being all talk. On message boards over the weekend even PSA got criticised. and a month or so ago he was a hero!
I can't really give a bad opinion, yes it was a slow game there was plenty of opportunities for the much needed bonus point (also if the ref's whistle wasn't playing a larger part in the game as some of the players), but it was a cold night and a Win. And I love the atmosphere of a rugby match- even if it is -105456456 degrees and I'm wearing a skirt.
I can say yes there was I think a total of 12 knock-ons. And Wigglesworth slowed the ball right down, But would he have a position in the starting IV for France this weekend if he was as truly awful as made out to be on forums ect?

Leeds, on the other hand had no real attacking opportunities, which is a shame as it may have made it a more exciting game. All credit must be given to them despite a poor performance from Sale they defended their line tooth and nail to avoid complete disappointment. And what opportunities they had for scoring points were taken well (even if it was only 3 points they achieved in the whole 80 minutes)

The London Irish Win against Leicester and the Wasps win against bath helped ease the pressure to perform to get back into the top 4 for Sale, sadly I am still yet to see any of the coverage from the LI game. But what I saw of the Wasps Game was fantastic- if only Cipriani played for England as he does for Wasps, and if only Ashton told Balshaw to fuck off and get Lewsey in the training squad, I think two tries against bath at home in a few minutes should give him the right to an England jersey!
(one day I will stop ranting about all this... one day when I have taken Ashtons job)

CAN'T WAIT FOR THE FRANCE GAME NOW! I really hope Wiggy plays well at scrum-half!
(and the fact it means I have been to/watched a match every weekend since the new year- yes I have no life.)

bye for nowww!
Elliot
x

ps we tried to get in contact with BBCs Tom & Ben, they are yet t reply! I bloody well hope they do though! They were our inspiration :)

Elliots adventure to Kingsholm to watch some sexy men

2008-02-10T18:52:00.003Z

My internet connection is buggered so I haven't had the opportunity to write up about the game, It was fantastic, England won 28-15, and I met several players afterwards.
There is a lot of talent that should be injected into the England squad after this six nations- that I can only see ending in disaster. For the past few weeks I have found myself getting angrier and angrier at Brian Ashton's decisions, mainly those regarding Iain Balshaw and Lesley Vainikolo- two people I end up ranting about non-stop.
At least there was a Sale boy on the pitch, shame he's going to have to put in a few exceptionally fantastic performances to even be considered taking Gomarsall's place at scrum-half.

-grumble-
-hits head on desk at thought of England vs France-
-rubs bruise on head-
-goes and makes a cup of tea while you look jealously at about 20 of the 150-ish pictures I took-

Ohm,I sort of love Jonathon Fisher! -giggle-

HUGO! <3<3<3!!! (he's ginger!)

(he's welsh... that's not the point, the point is our seats were that good.)

More images on Elliot's Flickr

According to my aunt "We'll make a rugby players wife out of you yet!"
Obviously I did not object to that statement.

Bloody Brian Ashton, i should really stop being so hard on him, but this is the nearest thing to a grudge I have ever been able to hold.

Warning;

2008-01-20T19:30:00.000Z

Hello, as far as I know me & Eilis are very, very tempted to go to as many of the u20 rugby world cup games as possible this summer, as they aren't all that far away from where we live. Especially some of the pool matches which are being played in Wrexham. And we will most probably log all our adventures here.

Anyway, in preparation I have just Badgered my Dad into buying me tickets for England u20 V Wales u20 in their Six nations match, seeing as he's too tight to pay for the big boys six nations- (I make joke! how very funny!). So there will most probably be an entry about that, or just a page or two about how lovely Alex Tait and Luke Eves are to look at... Although i will try not to do that as the standard of young rugby in England is phenomenal and a few of these boys will most probably be playing in New Zealand in 2012. And it being my target to cover as much rugby as possible for a possible career, i might as well take it slightly seriously.

Bye for now!
x

P.s. Its annoying me how no-one wants to eat chicken, or at least badly farmed and/or manufactured chicken. Don't get me wrong its a good thing but I have been concerned about this for many years before Jamie Oliver got on the case, and I have been called stupid and what-not for it. Now everyone's on the bandwagon. Well I had converted a friend or two before Channel4 started showing chickens being slaughtered but mainly using my charm and good nature rather than going "Hey, look we're slaughtering a chicken on TV!" If you are one of them fashion orientated 'vegetarians' or now suddenly worried about what you eat, due to watching that hen die- just remember one little thing; It has to be killed no matter how well its farmed and it will most likely be killed in that manner. Oh, and don't complain that eggs from free range birds are expensive- they are far from it and I'm sure you could shell out a few more pence for a clearer conscience.

Short sweet & all about rugby- Sounds just like Elliot!

2008-01-09T21:21:00.000Z

Not for the first time in this blog I, Eleanor Plant, am going to discuss the good old game of Rugby Union.

Today the England squad was named for the 2008 6Nations and looking through the list of names i found myself slightly disappointed, mainly because the severe lack of a certain Mr Josh Lewsey.

I'm sad enough to buy Rugby World Magazine, I was shopping with a friend of mine the other week & brought it and he declared "Pft! Most Girls buy Heat or something.You proper aren't right lass!" Throughout the pages its said that the next few years in English Rugby is going to be exciting as there's so many young talented players that have the potential to be great. Bouncing back from the second place in the world cup England are now taking the South African approach and playing players who are barely out of nappies. I'm not complaining about this at all, please do not get this wrong. The thing that's upset me today is that some of my favourite players will not be there in a few years either declaring retirement, (like Jason Robinson) or slowly stop being called to play for England and will end up forgotten and not given the recognition they deserve due to the standard of their play being over-shadowed by youngsters such as Cipriani and Haskel.

Even golden boy Johnny Wilkinson will be struggling to make the team in the next few years. and could fall into world cup winners such as:
Ben Cohen
Mike Catt
Will greenwood
Matt Dawson
Jason Robinson
Lawrence Dallaglio
Martin Corry
Josh Lewsey
Who seem to have disappeared in the past few years.

Basically I am being selfish and immature, I don't like to see some of my favourite players getting old or out of form. I even made a point to Eilis that there was more Sale Players than London Irish players named on the squad. So not wanting to go out of silly and immature form; in short, Brian Ashton is gay. We Want Lewsey!

Hahaha! :)

Hii there.

2008-01-02T18:41:00.000Z

I've never been too fond of these things, after all they always just turn out to be a whole bunch of 'I loves', but here we go all the same.

My name is Eilis, which is Irish so obviously no one seems to be able to pronounce it, so for those of you who aren't Irish that's said Ay-lish. I was born May 28th 1991, which makes me 16 and a Gemini.

I live in Shropshire, England, which is a county right next to the Welsh border, and I have my whole life. I very proud of my culture, probably more so because I was brought up to love and respect my heritage; I could tell you every relative I descended from. For instance I know that I'm distantly related to the Queen as her sister, Princess Margaret, was married to and had children with a certain Earl of Snowdon, even if they did get divorced. Also, I can tell you that I'm related to a man or Saint rather called Oliver Plunkett, who was hanged July 1, 1681 and was the last Catholic martyr to die in England. I even saw his head in a church, covered it tar. (Y)
I'm half Irish however and I love it, after all the Irish are supposed to be the most friendly nation, no?

I love music, but I don't have a particular genre that I go for, if you were to ask me if I liked 'so and so' I'd probably say yes. Except folk music, I can't stand folk music. :]] I love art and everything that goes with it: architecture, fashion, music obviously, theatre, films, interior design, even horticulture. But I suppose this all leads back to me loving my culture.

I'm in sixth-form now and am currently studying to pass my first set of AS levels in January. I'm taking 4 subjects which are Economics, Psychology, Biology and Geography, and I hope that I get straight A's, so fingers crossed. The school I attend at the moment is actually a girls private school, but I haven't always gone to a private school, until last year I was just at the state school in town, but I knew I needed top grades to get in to the Universities I wanted. I loved my Primary school and Secondary school, they probably provided with me with some of the best memories, not to mention great friends. I suppose I've only ever had 3 best friends, Kate and Lucy who I met aged just 3 and who have stuck by my side since, and Eleanor Plant (yes, the girl who owns this blog with me). I couldn't ask for a better group of friends than these three, they just get me; they know me inside out.

Some usually expect me to not be extremely bright by how I look, I don't think the blonde hair helps in the slightest, but as soon as people get to know me they'll realise I'm a bit of a know-it-all. I'm a bookworm, that's all really there is to be said about that. Plus, I love politics and can't help but have debates with my father about the state of the world.

I love different languages and accents; sitting down to watch an old French movie or even to read a romantic French novel sounds idyllic, don't you think?

Sports, whether it's watching them or playing them I enjoy them thoroughly. Whether it's an argument with Elle as London Irish and Sale try to win the Guinness cup in Rugby, or going out to play a game of badminton or hockey. I've played for pretty much every sport team in my old school, even if I was too busy to get a permanent spot I was always the one they forced to play when they were a player down. At the age of 14 I finally quit swimming, finding that training 5 times a week and having to go to Gala's once a month was just too much, especially with my exams soon coming up. I even did ballet until I was 15, it may sound a little bit silly, but to be honest it was one of the most challenging sports I ever took up.

I'm highly opinionated, and never ever admit I'm wrong; it's something that just seems to come with living in this family. Surprisingly enough we don't have many arguments. I don't agree with drugs, not in the slightest, well hardcore drugs, drinking -- I can just about cope with. I have morals, and I like my body alive thanks. Religion doesn't come under my list of things I agree with, I understand why people want to hold onto hope, but for me it's just a no-no. I am independent, and don't have any problems with being alone. A good book will do just as well as a party on a Friday night, but I do like to go out once in a while, and I know how to have fun and socialise.

If I could wish anything, it would be (apart from world peace and all that jazz) to travel to every country in the world. I love different cultures and experiencing new, strange things. I really want to go to Russia and India. I have so much I want to do later on, but I still have no idea what I'm going to do. That didn't make any sense, but I suppose you could say that I have many dreams but no idea how to accomplish them.

Over and Out.
x

Elliot

2008-01-02T18:31:00.000Z

Hii, Its Elliot.

This is my chance to tell you all about me. I'll warn you now that I like rugby union, Kate Nash, and cups of tea probably more than is healthy.

I go by many, many names including: Eleanor, Elle, Ellie, Elliot, Ella, Nell, Alfie, Springboks, Titch, Tink.

I was born in Maidstone, Kent on the 19th of September 1990 (making me a Virgo, if you meet me you'll learn I do not tend to follow the traits of my star sign) to Alison Plant and Ian "Will" Cracknell, Not long after ths we moved up to Oswestry where my Grandparents lived as my parents thought it would be nice for them to see one of their grandchildren grow up as two of my older cousins grew up in Middlesex. This had its advantages as I was born with scoliosis and as the Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic hospital was situated here. Also the fact I was growing up with my grandparents gave me the chance to become the sure favourite.

Unlike Eilis I'm not overly sure of my heritage, I know that there's a lot of Scottish Blood on my maternal Grandfathers side, My dads dad was adopted during world war 2 so its hard to trace where he originates from, although its said that He's from Yorkshire way. And apparently there's my great grandparents spent sometime in South Africa. But my Dad, or as I like to call him my Papi, is rather English, which caused a fuss when I decided that I was going to follow South Africa throughout the 2003 RWC, but also raked in a lot of money on wagers I had with friends.

Then in December 1994 i was joined by a little sister, who up until recently I called mini-me (that was until she got bigger than me!) I am incredibly close with my sister, apart from the fact all her best friends are pikeys and I can be a bit of a snob sometimes. Also I feel the urge to criticise everything she wears, listens to, ect ect.
The birth of Martha in a way knocked me and I missed being the only child. But it gave me lots of time with my dad, and at the time I was a complete tomboy. So when it came to the 1995 Rugby World Cup Saturdays and Sundays were perfect time for bonding time with my dad, watching the rugby. This started of my passion for the game, and proves that it isn't all about the blokes, which is the impression some people get of me currently, as I wasn't too bothered by that at 5 years of age.

In 1999 I lost my mum through diabetes and a stroke, it was a hard lesson but I grew up so quickly, Its another reason why me and my sister, Martha are so close yet a reason we bicker over little things, as I expect her to be a hell of a lot more grown up than she is. I lost touch with my tomboy side for a while & i almost forgot about my love for rugby.

Then not alot happened really, I went to Secondary school (The Marches School and Technology College) where I met Eilis, thinking about it i lost touch with a lot of my best friends from primary school then, and the same happened moving from school to college, where I currently study Music Technology, Media and Photography. Personally that never really effected me I have a passion for fast pace and new things, even if I seem daunted by it at first impressions.
I can't think of what to put about my time in secondary school, I got bored of Education and gave up trying so hard. Therefore not performing as well as I could've in my GCSEs. You win some you lose some is my opinion on that if I'm brutally honest.

Which leads me to the present. I'm a 17 year old Lass, who lives in a village called Whittington, outside Oswestry. I'm not overly fond of Alcohol, compared to people my age I'd rather sit in with a DVD and text or ring close friends, but that's not to say I don't enjoy a good night.

I trust very easily and like to see the best in people, I will be the first to laugh at myself, and others in some cases. I also love to try and make people laugh and smile, I hate being surrounded by miserable or boring people. Quote Kate Nash Lyrics or lines from my favourite films and i will be fond of you, even better still take me to a Sale Sharks home match.

I'm addicted to Top Gear.

I probably exceed the recommended daily allowance of caffeine in an hour or so.

I pretend that I play guitar & that I can sing in my spare time. I also am grade 4 on Violin, something I chose to pursue thanks to my grandfather.

My most visited Websites are Probably, myspace, facebook and Salesharks.com.

The Last Book I read was Jeremy Clarkson's And Another thing.

One of my all-time favourite films is Drop Dead Fred.

And right now I would really like to go to Hogwarts Or South Africa (although that might have something to do with my love for South African accents and hoping they are all as gorgeous as Natal Sharks player François Steyn.)

When theres more to say I'll tell you.

How very rude of us!

2008-01-01T22:02:00.000Z

I'm sorry we were so wrapped up in discussing christmas we forgot to introduce ourselves and explain what we are doing with this blog.

Basically we are two friends, Eleanor "Elliot" Plant (17) and Eilis "Lis" Edmonds (16) with a passion for Rugby Union, Fashion, Music, Current affairs and Politics. Lis focuses mainly on Politics and Current affairs as she plans to persue a career in politics. Whereas Elliot focuses on Rugby and Music and plans to work in media and advertising later in life.

Throughout 2008 between us we decided that we would try and experience as many new things as possible and document them in this blog.

Over the next few days (hopefully) we will introduce ourselves properly.

HAPPY 22nd December, right?

2007-12-22T21:42:00.000Z

Why not celebrate Christmas today? It seems to be getting earlier and earlier every year, shops start playing Christmas songs around the first of August, before it’s even properly winter time there’s bound to be some idiot with Christmas lights up the week the kids go back to school. I mean, doesn’t Halloween come first? Apparently not.

I'm not a scrooge, far from it. In fact get me excited about snow, reindeer, a fat man that wears an awful lot of red and lounging in my living room eating and watching TV without being told off for being a slob and I will not shut up. I feel the urge to replace all credible tracks on my mp3 or pc with various Christmas songs. My dogs are generally wrapped in tinsel when the Christmas decorations are removed from the attic. I also got renamed Monica by my sister this year when it came to decorating the family tree as I got agitated by ridiculous things such as if one light was flashing out of turn or the baubles were "unbalanced colour/shape/size-wise."

The one thing that really gets me annoyed about this time of year though is certain people. Not the sort that half way throughout December go “I give up!" and decide that they will not be able to catch up on shopping, wrapping, writing cards and being cheery. Or the attention seekers that I'm sure everyone knows at least one of that "hate Christmas" but still expect a present. It’s the over enthusiastic "we must buy a present for everyone we've ever spoken to!" sort of person, the sort of person that has tinsel & fairy lights in their car. The ones that you forgot you knew but pop around on Christmas eve or Christmas eve-eve "just doing the rounds!" with a Cadburys selection box. It might just be my family that know these sort of people though, after all we can never seem to have a "normal" family get together, it always becomes a competition or a chance to pull ridiculous faces.

These sort of people no mater how annoying can be incredibly helpful, for instance when it hits the 27th of december, and its no longer considered the Christmas season, you're bored of being stuck in the house with your family, and are waiting for everyone to go back to work and school, or wherever it is they go at normal times of the year, Then as normal the mother of all rows breaks out between at least two family members, you're safe in the knowledge that you have a cadburys selection box and the garantee that something easy to watch like Wallace & Gromit will be provided by the BBC to calm everyone back down. (unless of course it is an argument over what to watch on tv.)

So in the spirit of christmas I may let these people off, after all it is them that help get us through the festive season with our families. Although there is no need for the novelty santa hat and demanding kisses on the cheek.

Merry Christmas all!

Elliot
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