Weekly Wrap (25/1/2008)

Tennis Dept
Well the form of Andy Murray going out in the first round of the Australian Open doesn't look so bad as his conqueror, the unseeded, Jo Wilfired Tsonga has made it all the way to the final. He will take on third seed, Novak Dovovic. Tsonga should actually be familiar to us Brits as he retired Tim Henman from singles competition when he beat him in the second round of the US Open in 2007. It says his nickname is the 'Muhammad Ali of Tennis' because he looks like him. I beg to differ, I saw a pic of him celebrating his win of Rafa Nadal and he looks more like smegging Craig Charles to me.
Meanwhile in women's draw, definitely a battle of the beauties as Maria Sharapova takes on Ana Ivanovic. They both have their quirks, Sharapova is known for grunting as bad as Monica Seles whilst Ana Ivanovic was accused of gamesmanship after showing a squeaky pair of heels against Daniela Hantuchova.

Football Dept
Well it's the big one, the mighty Liverpool take on minnows Havant & Waterlooville. Liverpool have their own problems with their US owners trying to cutback. The distraction may give Havant a chance. Havant a chance? 100/1 to win the game. It's like what New England Patroits taking on some high school football team in Toronto. That's the scale of Havant's task. Another interesting game is probably is perhaps Arsenal (who got beat 5-1 to Spurs this week) against Newcastle under the new manager Kevin Keegan (a.k.a. the messiah).
Meanwhile going for away wins for Hamilton, Airdrie, Ross County, Stranraer, East Fife, Montrose.

Golf Dept
Looks like we can start up Tigerwatch once again as he is in action in the Buick Invitational in the states. He's already odds-on to win as he is 2 shots off the lead after first round.

Travel Dept
Well at the start of February, a couple of big celebrations. It's Chinese New Year, so they will be lots of celebrations around the world. I don't know if there will too much celebrations in Trinidad because they are celebrating something completely different and that is the Trinidad carnival. If you are happened to be lucky enough to be going, there are so many parties, sorry I mean things to do whilst you are there. A useful blog I've seen is from saucytrini and there are other useful guides at izatrini and toronto-lime (why Toronto, i don't know?)

Music Dept
Basshunters hold on to the UK topspot but a good new entry at #2 for the highly touted Adele. Meanwhile Kanye West's "homecoming" and Robyn's "be mine" make useful gains to hit the top 10. Yes, Robyn has really invented herself as 90s fans will remember such hits as "show me love" and "do you know what it takes". The wombats should make the top 10 next week after moving up from #37 to #13.

Weekly Wrap (18/1/2008)

Music Dept.
Leon Jackson has been dethroned finally and slumps to #5. The new number one is a dance song in the form of Swedish outfit, Basshunters and the song called "Now you're gone". The UK Charts still in a crazy mood as the woman of the moment, Britney Spears rebounds from #19 to #2 with "Pieces of me". Not only that she re-emerges with "Gimme more" back in at #34. Both Nickelback and Rihanna ("Don't stop the music") vault back up the charts too. Lupe Fiasco debuts a #7 with "Superstar". UK charts can be seen here. New singles coming out include Radiohead's "Jigsaw falling into place". Radiohead should do well despite having recently had to relocate an 'intimate secret gig' and move it into a club in London. Also the highly touted Adele releases her first single "Chasing Pavements". Adele recently came top of the BBC's sound of 2008 poll, which is a poll of the most promising new music talent. Last year, Mika came out on top and went on to score a #1 hit with "Grace Kelly". Also look out for Little Ones' "Ordinary Song".
Poor Lily Allen lost her baby. I wonder if she'll write a song about that.

Football Dept.
Would you believe it, it is the mighty Liverpool against the minnows Havant & Waterlooville in the FA Cup! I heard Havant are 100/1 to win the game against Liverpool. People are that confident an upset won't happen. Everyone in Geordieland seem happy that Kevin Keegan is back as the gaffer at Newcastle. Things should be interesting. The funny thing is at the moment Newcastle lie in 11th position. I bet you that's where they will finish and the Newcastle fans/board will still be happy with Keegan. That would be ironic.
Having a look at football games this weekend, a few key derbies. There is the Sheffield derby. Sheffield Wednesday take on Sheffield United. United have just enough class to pick up the win. There is also the Edinburgh derby between Hearts and Hiberian. Hearts have been struggling this season and probably be happy to take a draw. London derbies happen every week, so they aren't that important unless it's something like Arsenal vs Spurs or West Ham vs Charlton. Fulham take on Arsenal and if you can call this a derby, Watford take on Charlton in what is a six-pointer at the top of the Championship.
Selections to win Arbroath, Montrose (away), Raith (away), Dundee (away), Hamilton (away) and Livingston (away).
Derby look down and out. Let's move on.

Travel Dept.
Talking of Derby. I've been to Derbyshire for a day (work). I ended up staying in Matlock right in the Peak District. When I got there it was dark and wet but it was so beautiful to see the hills and even a cable car system in the distance in the morning. Unfortunately, I didn't get time to enjoy it. But I would love to go again. There are other places to visit including Crich Tramway and the Peak Rail.

Tennis Dept.
Andy Murray out of the Australian Open on the first day. Enough said really.
Well actually, there's been a lot said about Venus Williams' bottom when the Aussie commentator made a remark about a slow motion replay of Venus' rear end. Even sister Serena weighed in with her thoughts on the matter.

mac lite

The thinnest laptop has been unveiled at macworld. It has a thickness of 1.93cm. I tried to guess how thick it was with my fingers and thumb and failed. To be honest, I didn't think it was that much thinner than the Acer Travelmate that I have. Well just as long as it's as light as thin it is, then I think it'll do well. Unfortunately, the case that the smaller it is, the cheaper it is doesn't apply here as it will set people back at least 1500 pounds.

The special one...

Evidently, we seemingly still miss Jose Mourinho and his wit that Setanta have brought him for "I'm on Setanta Sports". It's funny as hell. The following video is the special one's debut...



More can videos can be seen from this youtube profile

Weekly Wrap (11/1/2008)

Music Dept.
So the X-Factor winner, Leon Jackson's version of 'When you believe' holds on to the UK topspot. It really does pale in comparison with the version that Whitney and Mariah did originally. Soulja Boy Tellem moves up to #2 whilst the best selling single of 2007 and ex X-Factor winner Leona Lewis is #3 with 'bleeding love'. The chart has a christmas hangover feel about it with a number of songs re-entrying the top 40. It's funny that a number of artists have more than one song in the top 40. Amy Winehouse has 2 (valerie, back to black). Kate Nash has 2 (pumpkin song, foundations). Mika has 2 (relax take it easy, grace kelly). Scouting for girls have 2 (elvis ain't dead, she's so lovely). Sugababes have 2 (about you now, change). Take That have 2 (rule the world, shine). Timbaland has 2 (apologize, the way i are). Whilst Rihanna is the greediest of them all with 3 (shut up and drive, umbrella, hate that i love you). Come on guys, give us struggling acts a chance to chart in the UK. ;)
New songs that could be in the charts real soon include: Ringo Starr's song, 'Liverpool 8' that commerates Liverpool as the european city of culture for 2008. Also Bodyrox and Luciana are back again with "What planet you on" and Queen's "Say its not true".

Football Dept.
Big Sam Allardyce has been axed from the toon and the favourite to take over is Harry Redknapp. Really desperate times up in Newcastle. Well, it kind of serves them right for going through managers like Elizabeth Taylor went through husbands. Big Sam should have never left Bolton in the first place. He was building a useful outfit there. Bolton haven't been the same neither and now Nicolas Anelka has joined Chelsea. The first thing I thought of was the next Arsenal/Chelsea is going to be even more spicy, remember the acrimonious way he left the Arse? Meanwhile at 'ex-charlton united', more injuries to worry about Scott Parker is out until February with a knee injury. Interestingly, I read that Alan Curbishley describes him as a trojan. What is Curbs trying to say? When used, he unloads a number of commands without the manager's consent? Or even worse, Parker is not getting enough action at home... yes m'lady!
Got to love the cup competitions. In the FA Cup, Havant & Waterlooville are the only non-league side still in it and could face Liverpool in the 4th round of the cup. It's probably unlikely though as Havant have to get pass Swansea, whilst the mighty Liverpool have to negogiate Luton. Mind you, both Liverpool and Havant are at home for their 3rd round replays. This weekend sees the Scottish version. Good luck to the non-league sides, Cove Rangers, Huntly and Linlithgow. Cove Rangers probably have the best chance. The big two, Celtic and Rangers play the two Stirling sides. Celtic take on bottom of Scottish first division, Stirling Albion whilst Rangers take on perennial Scottish third division strugglers, East Stirling. They always used to finish at the bottom of the lowest division in the Scottish leagues.
Not much worth betting on here. Liverpool really need to start winning badly and should get the win (8/11) at Middlesborough. Charlton have got to start winning at home soon if they want automatic promotion and against Blackpool that's not going to be easy. The last time they played each other it was in the cup and Charlton were lucky to win 2-1 that day. But odds of 5/6 for the home win does look generous. Arbroath (11/10) should get the better of bottom of Scottish third division side Forfar.

Racing Dept.
The weather has been bad in the UK. It's been raining and windy too. Saturday's main race is the Lanzarote handicap hurdle at Kempton. You probably want to be lower in the handicap (i.e. carrying little weight here) and Panjo Bere ought to win, considering the horses it beat in the last outing have gone on to win subsequently. One horse that could be interesting for a place (about 22/1) is La Dame Brune who won a couple of hurdle races last year but has really not had the opportunity to shine so far this year (fell early in one race). A plus is she is carrying little weight in this race.

NFL Dept.
Getting close to the superbowl. Down to 8 teams in what the Americans call the AFC/NFC divisional play-offs (why not call it quarter-finals like normal people;) Statistically, New England Patriots should win it easily, after all they did go the entire season undefeated. Mind you, you have to remember that each team do not play every other team in the NFL. So New England may play a team that have not played before in the play-offs and could be vulnerable. New England and Indianapolis should get through to the AFC final and the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers should get through to the NFC final.

Tennis Dept
With the Australian Open not far away, there's a warning of a russian mafia threat trying to bribe tennis players into dropping matches. But the ATP are taking steps to try stop corruption. This was highlighted when Nikolay Davydenko lost controversially to Martin Vassallo Arguello. There are clues as to when a match maybe fixed. Irregular betting patterns is usual way of noting something might be up. In that event, the market and all bets concerned are voided. Sometimes, this may not happen in it. I am waiting for the day, that a game is called off/delayed due to irregular betting patterns. Any sport can be affected. Horse racing and football to be a name couple.
Meanwhile, Andy Murray looks in good nick for the Austrlian Open after winning the Qatar Open last week. Will he win a grand slam this year?

UK Top 40 Singles of 2007

pos artist - title [copies sold]
1 Leona Lewis - Bleeding love [787652]
2 Rihanna feat Jay Z - Umbrella [512730]
3 Mika - Grace Kelly [492500]
4 Leon Jackson - When you believe [395669]
5 Take That - Rule the world [357325]
6 Sugababes - About you now [346420]
7 Timbaland feat D.O.E. and Keri Hilson - The way I are [336740]
8 Proclaimers ft Brian Potter and Andy Pipkin - (I'm gonna be) 500 miles [333750]
9 Mark Ronson feat Amy Winehouse - Valerie [329490]
10 Kaiser Chiefs - Ruby [313765]

11 The Fray - How to save a life [313700]
12 Beyonce & Shakira - Beautiful liar [296900]
13 Gwen Stefani/Akon - Sweet escape [285500]
14 Plain White T's - Hey there Delilah [281820]
15 Sean Kingston - Beautiful girls [277000]
16 Timbaland feat One Republic - Apologize [275290]
17 Kate Nash - Foundations [272805]
18 Take That - Shine [272745]
19 Kanye West - Stronger [266280]
20 Avril Lavigne - Girlfriend [248900]

21 Fergie - Big girls don't cry [240490]
22 Timbaland ft Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake - Give it to me [238240]
23 Just Jack - Starz in their eyez [220000]
24 Robyn with Kleerup - With every heartbeat [213025]
25 50 Cent ft Justin Timberlake & Timbaland - Ayo technology [212070]
26 Enrique Iglesias - Do you know (The ping pong song) [200840]
27 Gym Class Heroes - Cupid's chokehold [191250]
28 Justin Timberlake - What goes around, comes around [187650]
29 Nelly Furtado - Say it right [183850]
30 Take That - Patience [179500]

31 Hoosiers - Worried about Ray [178250]
32 Rihanna - Shut up and drive [165000]
33 Fergie - Glamorous [163250]
34 Snow Patrol - Chasing cars [163000]
35 Fall Out Boy - This aint a scene, it's an arms race [162750]
36 Akon ft Snoop Dogg - I wanna love you [162500]
37 T2 feat Jodie Aysha - Heartbroken [151145]
38 Mark Ronson feat Daniel Merriweather - Stop me [149000]
39 Alex Gaudino ft Crystal Waters - Destination Calabria [145000]
40 Akon - Don't matter [144350]

Every day is fry day for chips addict

I have always loved chips but I am trying to eliminate it as it's not healthy. This only serves to highlight why you should step away from the fryer! (taken from a local newspaper).

"A teenager has eaten almost nothing but chips for the past ten years because she fears other foods will make her ill. Faye Campbell has refused anything else since she was five. Her parents, Mark and Carolyn Campbell, say they have been driven mad by the 15 year old's one-in-a-million diet.
Mrs Campbell, 37, said: 'Faye just drank milk until she was four or five. For some reason, at that age she tried a chip and after that she did not eat anything else.'
Mr and Mrs Campbell tried all sorts of things to make Faye eat other foods and took her to the doctor repeatedly - all without success. But two years ago she was diagnosed with gastro-oesophageal reflux, in which stomach acids travel up into the gullet. In Faye's case, they even enter her mouth. The diagnosis came from Dr Nigel Meadows, of Bart's and the London NHS Trust in the capital.
After specialist medicine and work with a child psychologist, Faye is now trying plain burgers plain noodles from a Chinese takeaway and potato waffles. But her diet still consists almost totally of chips from a local chippie.
The family, of Stowmarket, Suffolk, say the diagnosis has given them hope as they now have a reason for her crazy diet. They hope that by the age of 20 she will be able to go to a restaurant and eat anything on the menu."

Encapsulating javascript objects (xmlhttprequest)

As much as I loathe Javascript objects, using them gives the developer control and limit the opportunity of overriding existing Javascript. What I really wanted to do is encapsulate the xmlhttprequest into a nice class. Unfortunately, xmlhttprequest itself uses a caller function, onreadystatechange. This proves a huge challenge. Essentially, you want to include a function/method to handle the call. But believe me, this is a headscratcher. One interesting technique is to take a copy of the class instance before running the onreadystatechange function. You then have scope to the global instance and as well as the current instance as demonstrated at mike chambers. Unfortunately, it looks like firefox and ie handle things a little different. I tried to set a text attribute for my class within the caller function, to my surprise, Internet Explorer sets it but for some reason Firefox has it undefined and only used my text attribute in a local scope. Another solution is provided hunlock. This looks to be a useful module indeed, exactly what I am looking for. But once again, firefox doesn't appear to like it.

Javascript Objects

I remember a long time ago in a job interview, saying that there was no such thing as javascript objects. This was when the notion of javascript objects was introduced on very hoky browsers like Netscape and IE. It certainly wasn't cross-browser friendly then and it looks like not a lot has changed there. I still think Javascript objects and classes are immature. Looking at articles on Javascript objects, there are number of different notations that could give average developer a nightmare. For instance this oop javascript guide gives a thorough overview how to construct a javascript class properly. However, I do not like the idea of having to explicitly utilise such functions as makeConstructor, defineMethod, defineType, instantialize, getClassName. That said, the article is spot on its assessment of Javascript OOP...

"What you may say is 'Hey, the syntax is too complicated! Writing those syntaxes will frustrate me ...'
Actually, JavaScript is not an Object Oriented Programming language. But we create context so we can do OOP. And once the syntax is too complicated, we can simplify them. But I consider borrowing the existed mature Java language would be a better choice. That is, we can write in the style of Java, which is sure an OOP style language, and then we converts the Java codes into JavaScript codes, which is somewhat syntactic complicated. And then we have a great thing."

Fortunately, there are more simpler articles that demonstrates ways of creating Javascript objects, howtocreate, mozilla and mckoss still use the newly created class' prototype object. The only benefit I see, it gives you a chance to define functions and attributes for later and also can separate functions and attributes leaving the main class constructor. However, if you are comparing against natural OOP language like Java, C++ and C#, you usually do not have to define these functions and objects explicitly and you can incorporate methods and attributes into your classes (that you would normally see in naural OOP languages) as demonstrated in these even simpler articles from daaq and asp-ajax.

Also stumbled some interesting article on using JSON objects from hunlock and some useful javascript inheritance techniques in prototypejs.