Broadfoot Left With Egg On His Face

Rangers star Kirk Broadfoot may miss Rangers' crucial final 2 games of the season, not because of a groin strain, tight hamstring or any other normal footballers injury, but because of an exploding egg! The rugged defender, 24, was left with severe burns to his face after an egg he was poaching in the microwave exploded.  Broadfoot was apparently showered with boiling water, shattered glass and hot egg when he removed the bowl from the microwave. Reports suggest that the quick thinking Ayrshire man immediately plunged his face under the cold water tap to relieve the painful burns. 

Broadfoot is not alone in suffering an egg related injury. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents says that 500 Britons a years are admitted to hospital after "egg related incidents". They have used Broadfoot's case to highlight the importance of taking extra care when dealing with boiling water in a microwave. Broadfoot is expected to make a full recovery from his scalds, but perhaps next time he should follow my fail safe poached egg recipe from Down and Out which involves no microwaves.

Expenses Row - Time to Move On?

I must admit the MP's expense controversy is really beginning to get on my breasts. It has been the main news item for the past 5 or 6 days which I find quite extraordinary. Obviously there are weaknesses in the system which need to be rectified. Is it really that shocking to hear that politicians have been up to some dodgy antics? Let's leave it for an independent body, agreed by all parties, to come up with some recommendations and we can all have a discussion about it. Agreed? Right, let's move on and have some REAL news.

Carlisle Staring Relegation In The Face

Carlisle United enter the final round of fixtures this Saturday knowing that failure to pick up 3 points will see them relegated to the 4th tier of English League football. Their opponents are Millwall, a side who will be equally eager for the win that may provide them with an easier two games in the Play-Offs (against either Scunthorpe or Tranmere - who face each other- rather than Leeds United).

It is a sorry tale for the Cumbrians following last seasons narrow failure to win automatic promotion to the Championship on the last day. Worryingly, their fate is not in their own hands. Even a win may not be enough, should Brighton win at home to Stockport and Northampton pick up a point at Leeds. The scenario mirrors the final day of the 1999 season when on-loan goalkeeper Jimmy Glass converted a dramatic injury time winner against Plymouth, sparking wild scenes of celebration and euphoria on the Brunton Park pitch. For Carlisle's loyal band of followers that will be nothing more than a distant memory if they fail to beat the Lions on Saturday afternoon. I for one will be keeping a very keen eye on proceedings.

Down But Not Out

I would like to apologise to my loyal cluster of readers for the lack of activity on DAOILAL over the past few weeks. Regrettably, most of my time is being taken up with seeking alternative employment having recently been given notice of potential redundancy. Down and Out has thus had to take a back seat I'm afraid. I am now a government statistic, another victim of the global recession. Nevermind. I have been reassured that this is all part of lifes rich tapestry and no doubt I will ultimately look back on this set back as a positive experience, and one which I can learn from.

On the plus side I can look forward to: lie-ins everyday, watching The Wright Stuff/Working Lunch, the ability to spend all night boozing without worrying about work, browsing the internet, drinking endless cups of tea, catching up on unread or unfinished novels, spending more time in the kitchen honing my cookery skills, camping, going to the library and house sitting for friends or relatives. Some people I know have been doing these things for the past 6 years. Thank God for redundancy!

April 15th, 1989.

Best Show on TV? Mos Def!

BBC 2 have confirmed that they will be airing The Wire in its entirety as of 30th March (albeit at the ridiculous time of 11.20pm) as blogged by the Guardian. Great news! Not that it makes much difference to me since I have already purchased all 5 series box sets. This critically acclaimed drama, revolving around the drug culture in western Baltimore but also encompassing social, political and educational dimensions, is quite simply the finest television series I have ever watched. It perhaps even surpasses The Sopranos in terms of the quality and sophistication of the writing, which i did not think possible. If you only watch one TV show again, make sure it is The Wire.

Calm Down, Calm Down. Rafa hasn't lost it after all.

Saturday 14th March 2009. A swinging of the championship pendulum? Liverpool emerged from Old Trafford yesterday in glorious fashion, picking up all 3 points and breathing new life into this seasons title bid. Ludicrously, Alex Ferguson claimed his was the better side on the day and were unlucky not to have claimed at least a draw. The rest of us witnessed a display of maturity, discipline and ruthlessness that will hopefully give the Merseysiders the confidence to go on and pick up maximum points from their remaining fixtures. Against a side who had previously conceded just 5 goals at home all season, this was quite a statement. Steven Gerrard was in inspired form, adding weight to Zinedine Zidane's claim earlier in the week that he is currently the best midfielder in world football. Fernando Torres looks back to his best, having completely humiliated Nemanja Vidic, a player let's not forget who is being touted for Footballer of the Year. Sami Hyypia had Shrek Rooney in his back pocket all afternoon, barely breaking sweat in the process. But it was the underrated Brazilian, Fabio Aurelio, who picked up Man of the Match. Aurelio seems to quietly go about his business but always looks assured defensively, and is willing to get forward and supply pinpoint deliveries from the left side. Such was Liverpool's domination by the end of the match, even Dossena got in on the act in injury time! The mass exodus of Old Trafford following the Italian's lobbed goal was one of the more satisfying aspects of yesterdays events.

It is not unreasonable to suggest that in Gerrard andTorres, Liverpool possess the two finest footballers in Europe at present. Keeping these two fit will be key to the rest of the season. Manchester are still in a strong position and huge favourites to claim an 18th title. However, contrary to media hype, they are not the best side ever to have played the game. They have a potentially difficult run in including Arsenal and Aston Villa at home, a Manchester derby and away fixtures at Sunderland and relegation battlers Hull City. Liverpool showed yesterday that if you press them and set about them in a positive manner, United are far from unbeatable. As Gerrard noted in his post match interview, this result will hopefully give other teams the belief that they can also take points from Old Trafford. Though he will not admit it in public, the petulant, ungracious and utterly detestable Ferguson will be nervous. He knows his sides confidence will have been rattled by yesterdays result and performance. Is the pendulum swinging again towards Merseyside? Make a note in your diary......