Ha-Ha! I thought it might’ve been a song from a certain (Irish) band, given that little “clue” you gave (but actually didn't) and how wrong I was.

Yeah, awesome artist. The world is worse off for his passing. I’ll always remember his talent for sure. Have some of his early stuff and one or two other albums and really dig him. Your mate has good tastes. Maybe his best song (top 2 or 3 anyways) in my mind. Strange intro but then again it was from the movie so that could explain it. Either way, really enjoyed that one brother, good share Markus 👍.

Peace indeed 😉

G’day “Off-Season” Crew,

Apologies for the late post. Been out for dinner and just got home. Time difference/daylight saving doesn’t help either 😃.

Last week’s EPL predictions provided just one standout “home” pick (Man City) but no “away” selection. Man City won 2-1 and that’s edged the strike rate up just a smidge. The “away” strike rate remains the same obviously

“Standout Winners” Predictions - EPL Round 12

Home Winners
- Chelsea
- Man Utd

Away Winners
- no selections

Results so far:

Home Teams
Selections - 22
Winners – 14 @ 63.63%

Away Teams
Selections - 7
Winners – 5 @ 71.43%

Don’t forget there’s footy on Saturday. Starts at midday over here so 2pm Qld or 3pm Sydney time. Fiji vs PNG followed by GB vs NZ at 2.30pm Perth/4.30pm Qld/5.30pm Sydney. Be there or be square 🤪.

OK kids, be good, keep safe and enjoy life 😍 Cheers … Begurk! 🐔 Begurk! 🐔

yeah prince was very talented and wrote lots of great songs

Aww, love me some funk Markus 😍. Totally understand though. Music is just like everything else in life in so much as we all have different tastes and that in my opinion, is all good. Whatever floats your boat my friend. Well, maybe not if it’s Jazz or Country & Western 😱. Nah, just kidding. Or am I? Hmmm…

Markus, I think you nailed it when you said “I think with the right mentorship or at least some good people around him, he has the potential to be the superstar he thinks he already is”. That just about sums it up perfectly. He does have the potential to be even better than he currently is but…

Yeah Christine, Diamonds & Pearls is a pretty good tune. However, when I see the words “Diamonds & Pearls” I automatically think of the two young ladies going for the audition in Prince’s video entitled “Gett Off”. One girl's name is Diamond and the other girl's name is Pearl. It’s a pretty risqué video and even though we’re all adults here, it would be remiss of me not to issue the standard “viewer discretion is advised” warning considering the (very) “adult themes” of said video. A lot of suggestive movements and lyrics. If you’re all good with that and you wanna take a gander, here it is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f4BwQFF-Os

Definitely agree on the 70s-80s-90s music Christine. Those were the days when a song was “crafted” with an intro, it had a melody (of sorts) and an ending. Songs that had lyrics and a story to tell. Songs that took you on a journey. Songs that had a message and helped you overcome bad times. Songs that made you happy and songs you could dance to. Songs that were “created” by the human soul and not a computer program. I could go on and on but I won’t. Anonymous hates it when I ramble on 😁 (just kiddin’ mate). Suffice to say, if I had to pick just one decade of music to listen to for the rest of my life then it would have to be the 80s. Then again, that might just be because of my particular age bracket. Maybe someone aged in their 30s might say different. But hey as I said, our tastes are all different thankfully.

Good footy today. Really enjoyed the Fiji/PNG game. Not so much the GB/NZ game though. Yeah, it was OK but I was more enthused by the first game. It was pleasing to see that Shaun Johnson finally got some form back into his game too. How long did you say before the 2020 season starts?

Yeah Thinker, young fellas with too much time and too much money and not enough “smarts”. I’m assuming you’re referring to David Fifita? If so, then all I can say is “yeah” and give out a long sigh…

OK y’all, I’m outta here. Stealing Markus’ line …. Peace!

P.S. Thoughts go out to all those over on the East Coast affected by the bush fires. Sad to see 😢.

Newbie
As you know I've been critical of Latrelle Mitchell many times on this site and now find myself feeling sorry for the young man.
He no doubt has talent for our game, sometimes amazing, but also has a tendency sometimes to go to sleep. I place some of the blame on the NSW media who said "he's the next Greg Inglis" "he's the next NSW superstar" "he will keep SoO trophy in NSW for years". How would any young player react after reading this much press.
Keep him away from Anthony Mundine, who in my opinion is a train wreck for Indigenous players.
My advice to Latrelle would be...Stay with the Roosters, mate, the money ain't bad, they have brought you to where you are, and they are the back to back premiers. Move and you could go into nothing.

Got a few hours to spare? Another short story from yours truly…

G’day Mr Ashford,

Yeah, Prince has almost always “been over the top” as far as I can remember. The “artist” in him wanting to make a statement to the world maybe? Over compensating for his lack of height maybe? Who knows, but some rather unconventional behaviour for sure. Me personally? I reckon he was a talented genius and 50% of the time I’d ignore his videos and just get into whatever song it was (“Sign O The Times” for example). As far as what was on his head in that video …. I can only surmise it was some sort of girly bandana thingy that people (mainly women) use to keep their hair up and away. Not sure. Let’s all just keep quiet on the clip and for god’s sake, no-one tell the #metoo brigade or else we’ll all be in trouble 😃.

Wasn’t aware that Latrell had any close relationship with Anthony Mundine to be honest. Maybe the “newbie” in me is at play. Anthony Mundine in my opinion is just a “train wreck” full stop. Great fighter in his day for sure but he kept going for too long. He’s always angry. He’s disrespectful to so many people. He’s always looking to blame someone for something.

Changes his mind at the drop of a hat when it suits him. Converting to Islam for example. I’m more than likely completely wrong here but maybe he did that because it was fashionable or he thought he could get mileage from it. He deluded himself into thinking he was the modern day “Muhammas Ali”. You could see it in his mannerisms and rhetoric but he wasn’t even close! Maybe it was just PR at work. If it was then it was an embarrassing failure. A great fighter yeah but he was no Ali I can assure you. He always struck me as a mean spirited sort of person. Hand on heart, I really hope he gets whatever load he’s carrying around off his back and finds some peace and joy in his life. Can’t ask for much more in life than some peace and joy.

Latrell staying at the Roosters would be the way to go but now that this is out in the open, not sure if Latrell would be able to get over the embarrassment he’s created for himself. I mean, can you imagine walking around the club and having to endure the inevitable stares and whispers? Some folks just can’t handle stuff like that. And what about the supporters? Some may feel betrayed by Latrell’s actions so far and all the reports they’ve seen in the media ain’t gonna help how they look at him now. I feel for him when I see some of the clubs he’s been linked to. “Why would you go there or surely you’re not thinking of going there are you?”

Yeah he might get the money he’s after but he’ll possibly be surrounded by lesser players than he’s been with at the Roosters. That happens and his standard falls I’m guessing. How do I feel? Man, honestly I’m not really sure. Need time to digest it all…

Bali is indeed a magnet for all the yobbos and idiots but thankfully it’s mainly restricted to Kuta and to a lesser degree, Seminyak. Me and my “homies” used to go to Bali all the time but we learned pretty quick to steer clear of Kuta. It just wasn’t worth having to put up with all the crap our Aussie brothers and sisters caused. These days we usually spend our time in places like Sanur and Ubud when we go over there and we keep as far away from Kuta as we can. Shame really. I’m pretty sure I have an explanation as to why there’s so much trouble there. Wanna hear what it is?

Well, I reckon it’s because the Aussie d***heads know that the Balinese people (cops) will put up with their crap because Bali needs the Aussie dollars to survive and make a living. No consequences means no need to behave. Plenty have told me they just put up with it, knowing the yobbos will return to Australia in a week and leave their money in Bali. Or in other words …. “Yes they bad people but we have their money 😃”

It’s a sad fact but the tourist dollars help the Balinese raise their kids, build their houses and keep their jobs. All that needs to happen is for the Balinese to come down (real) hard on the yobbos, deport them and ban them from returning for 5 years say, and you’d get this problem 90% sorted. The number of tourists not returning would be outnumbered by the number of people now deciding that Bali is getting to be a safer place to take their family to for a holiday. Winner, Winner! Chicken Dinner!

Anyhoo, it’s getting late and Newbie needs his “booty sleep” 💪. Cheers y’all. Peace and Joy! 💖

Newbie
Couldn't have said all that better myself, but unfortunately I didn't, wish I had but I didn't. On the Mundine thing local media reported him advising Latrelle to "forget loyalty just get as much money as you can" or something like that. Describing Mundine as a "train wreck" is probably being kind to him as he's much worse.
I've never been to Bali or anywhere else in Indonesia because of the bad press we get here. No doubt the areas you mentioned are much safer and enjoyable. I have heard the Balinese people are rather special, it's the tourists that spoil the place.

No probs being late Newbie.
I've been all over the place lately, trying to attend to overdue errands and emails I consistently attend to.

In ESPN Tipping comp that I'm in - Round 12 I got 6 from 10.
Yes, I picked Leicester, Wolves, Man Utd, Burnley, Chelsea and Liverpool.
Sheffield going well and giving it a real go.

No games this weekend.
Keep well mate and its goodnight from him and its good night from me.
Big Pete

@Newbie
@Mark A
Remember that "The Mouth" Mundine did time in USA under Muhammad Ali in his training troups. I prefer the father Tony Mundine any day as a person.

Re Bali - I've never been there and don't ever want to go there. They only want to know you when u r spending your tourist dollars with them. Failing that, they either want to jail you or hang you.

One day they'll realise that some of the clearer thinking Aussies will veto the nation and then they'll wonder why they are sliding down the s...chute and their trade isn't buying.

Keep well lads
Big Pete

Christine & Big Pete
I'm absolutely horrified by these fires. Can't believe in 2019 we are battling fires all over NSW & QLD. I salute the brave emergency workers battling this horror and hope they all escape uninjured.
When you look at the news England is suffering exceptional flooding and we can't get a drop of rain. What is happening?

Hi to all,
Boy have I got some catching up to do.
Been staying with friends out on their station, and with the advent of NBS they are lucky to now get the internet 20 -30mins a day!!!!!!

I see there a lot of songs to listen to, and news to catch up with, so that may take a while.
Cheers to all,
Mary

Hi to all, firstly, that Prince number Newbie was, at times quite hot actually, and then other times, not so much LOL. Thanks for the share though, I mostly enjoyed it.

For this week, I am raising the risqué level and fear I may be asked to never share another song again because of it but... I love this song (film clip not so much). It's not the style I usually listen to but there is something about it (no, not because of the film clip haha), once that chorus comes in I'm completely invested! There is also a little bit near the end before the final chorus, if you are listening closely enough, she sounds like her younger self, a little bit anyway.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My2FRPA3Gf8

I feel the theme with these last two songs is pushing boundaries, like Prince, and other artists, have done with their music and it's visual accompaniment, whether it's trying to break free of a younger persona or just seeing how far they can take an idea, they usually end up getting the reaction they set out get. Viewer discretion advised ;)

Thoughts are with all those affected by the blaze, I hope this battle will be won sooner rather than later! Let the heavens open and dump a couple of days of water on these flames.

Peace!

G’day “Off-Season” Crew,

Yet another long post here tonight. Just got into the “groove” and couldn’t help myself. My bad!

@ Mr Ashford
Yeah, Bali does receive a lot of bad press here unfortunately. Might be because the media wants a “headline”. Then again, I reckon (just a really rough “guesstimate” on my part to be honest) 10% of it is warranted. People are people anywhere in the world. That’s just how we are. I’ve been to Bali a lot of times (and I mean a lot) because it’s only a 3.5 hour flight and cheap as chips to get there. Yeah some of the people are a real hassle but here’s the thing …

Those people who hassle you are not normally Balinese, they’re usually from Java/mainland Indonesia and they’re more hardened and greedy. Rip off a first-timer and they’re up for it. Sad I know but it is what it is. I learnt that real quick on my first trip many moons ago. Staying at a (really nice) hotel in Tuban about 15 minutes walk from the centre of Kuta and we’d only booked in some 30 minutes prior. It was decided that we'd all take a leisurely late afternoon walk into Kuta and the “hassle” to buy this, buy that (including the obligatory drugs and girls) as we were walking along was very stressful indeed. Gotta laugh about it now though 😁

Anyway, after a few days you get the “Bali smarts” and it ceases to be a problem. Then we started going to different areas and what a change it was. No Javanese means no problems. As soon as you get out of Kuta/Seminyak it’s a different world. The Balinese people are some of the best people you can meet. They’re just so laid back, friendly and they just smile all the time. They’ll do anything for you and have awesome memories. Memories in that they can remember you and your name even after a 4 year absence. True story, it happened to yours truly.

Mate if you ever change your mind and you’re considering a trip over there, just do it! I would suggest, even if it’s your first time, to steer clear of Kuta and go somewhere like Sanur or Ubud. Maybe even Nusa Dua or Lovina. And make sure you check out TripAdvisor before you make any bookings. Now all I have to do is convince Big Pete 😉

@Big Pete
Can’t believe my Gooners got done 2-0 by Leicester 😪 Dropping to 6th is bad enough but now Man Utd are only a point behind us 😣 Yeah, no games this weekend due to the Euro Qualifiers and International Friendlies I see. A week off will do everyone some good (unless you’re playing in aforementioned games I suppose).

Regarding Bali mate. I assume you’ve read what I mentioned to Mark so haven’t got much more to say. Don’t wanna try and “convert” you buddy and respect the call you made. Each to their own eh?

Loved your little “The Two Ronnies” sign-off too. I used to watch that show religiously. Geez they were funny in their day. They don’t make ‘em like that anymore. Mind you, we live in a far more complicated world today than we did back then, that’s for sure. Cheers bro’…

@ Mary
When you go catching up with all those songs, it might not be advisable to watch that raunchy Prince one I put up (the “viewer discretion advised” one). It may not be suitable for such a refined young lady such as yourself 😱 Great to see you haven’t forgotten about us though.

@ Christine
Even with the crap you’re going through, love that you still have the time to think of others (re bush fires). You’re a “gem”. Thanks…

Peace & Joy people! 💖

Newbie
Ah the gravel voiced mad dog Englishman who thought girls were coming in through his bathroom window! How I loved this guy and everything he did including the naughty things.
I appreciate your thoughts on Bali & surrounds but like Big Pete will never go there. My niece and her hubby (a senior Qld copper) go at least once a year with their 12 & 13 year old daughters and swear by the place. No doubt they avoid the unsavory areas.
I just have a love affair with Europe, Paris & other French cities along with various German & Dutch cities. It's my lot in life to love that part of the world, guess it's the history etc.

Haha Mark, my tastes are quite varied, I guess I can blame having three daughters around that age when Miley was on Disney :P

It was actually your disapproval I was dreading the most when I posted it lol. I promise to make up for it ;)

Evenin Newbie - we still good buddies mate.
Leicester didnt surprise me in doing that to Gunners, as I picked them. Arsenal have some solid thinking to do, but have a bloody great mass of talent at their disposal. I read where Arsene Wenger might be considering an offer made to him, to be the new manager at Bayern Munchen in The Bundesliga.
So one now wonders if Gunners dispose of current manager, that maybe Jose Mourinho might come back to EPL to manage. I regard him as a very astute manager in football. He just needs to get the right blend and to follow him. At Man Utd that didn't all happen, as some players were playing for their own puff-chested ego's.

As for The Two R's - if I get a link now or then, I'll try and link it here on this site, so others can enjoy some good English comedy. Liked Reg Varney - On the Buses. Shit they gave Blakey a caning. Loved Sid James, Benny Hill, Dick Emery and Dave Allen (Irish). Didn't Dave keep such a cool straight face. Benny was a good looking sort of dude and I see how he pulled those loveable lasses in on his shows. I was sent an attachment last week with one of his vids, but I cant seem to attach here, as that is the way it is.

Anyway mate - keep well and be good.
Big Pete

Yeah Mark - me neither with the lango in music.
It ruins a good song.

Now mate, in yours and my day and of which I saw all/most of these Aussie Bands that present clean, cut music are - Sherbet, Ted Mulry Gang, Ole 55, Dragon, Hush, Zoot, Skyhooks, Little River Band, JPY Band, Air Supply, Eurogliders, Choirboys, Daddy Cool and the list keeps growing, before I even think about starting on soloists. Some great voices there as well mate.

I've racked me brain tonight mate. Jump in my Car nah I'm jumpin into bed. I haven't Been to Bali to, But Heaven must be There, because Curiosity Killed The Cat.....hummin, I bet u r .
Snoozies calls. Ciao.
Big Pete

Come on Mark......I'm sure at one of our lunches you confessed you were a big fan of the likes of Post Malone, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Chris Brown, R. Kelly, Jay-Z, Snoop Dog and 50 Cent!!