I'm a big Leeds United, and following their fantastic performance I just wanted to post this summary (I actually found it on the BBC 606 sports forum posted by another Leeds fan - but hey I'm always up up for stealing someone else's ideas).

What a remarkable 12 months it really has been. This time last year Leeds United were plunged into administration and relegation to the 3rd tier of English football.

Pre – season:

Unable to recruit players and waiting waiting waiting for the golden share. Days before the season commenced the share was returned and as a bonus the FL made up a new rule and present Leeds with a 15 point deduction.

Have to wait for the Golden share was a significant penalty in itself. Leeds were unable to recruit players.

The seasons opening games:

Leeds win win win win and carry on winning a total of 8 league games in a row. Then a draw (Gillingham) some more wins another draw (Orient. Ling had factored in the 15 points so decided not to go for the win). Some more wins and finally the first league defeat (Carlisle).

Such was Leeds form that they overcame the 15 points climbed the table with unrelenting velocity crashed into the play off places and then for a couple of hours in December were actually top of the table. This was beyond all our expectations. To have overcome the points deduction over a whole season would have been remarkable to do it in half a season and reach the summit of the league was an absolutely fantastic achievement. Leeds I believe will be the first and last team to achieve such a thing.
So. We’re super Leeds and we’re going up.

Then came 2008. The seasons 2nd half:

Poyet leaves and Basset arrives. Leeds start sliding down the table almost as quickly as they climbed it.
Jonathon Douglas is injured and we all wish Kandol would pick up a knock that would put him on the sidelines.

Then Newcastle came to the rescue. Dennis gone. (What is he actually doing at Newcastle).

Enter Gary Mac and Steve Staunton. Basset gone. Leeds continue to slide and drop to 10th. However very quickly Gary Mac turns things around and Leeds start to climb back up the table.
Gary Mac brings in Dougie Freedman.

The run in:

Things get better and Leeds start to show the kind of form that they started the season with . Only now it’s better the style of football is more cultured hoofball is replaced by pass the ball to feet. It is good to watch.

Leeds are winning and doing it with style. Leeds secure a play off position.

So, from -15 points.
Unable to recruit players.
Change of coach and manager.
Top six finish and a game to spare.
A fantastic achievement. Gary Mac and the Leeds team we salute you.

At the start we were waiting waiting waiting for the golden share.

And now?

We are waiting waiting waiting. The intolerable wait for the arbitration ruling, the result of which could yet see us promoted. It ain't over until the fat lady sings and she is just about to draw breath.

Whatever happens this has been a memorable season. And whether it be with points returned (we only need 7) or via the play offs Leeds without doubt deserve promotion.

"You must dare to disassociate yourself from those who would delay your journey... Leave, depart, if not physically, then mentally. Go your own way, quietly, undramatically, and venture toward trueness at last."

Vernon Howard

I found this quote on the Internet. I'd already decided to do this even before I read it - that is the part that says "disassociate yourself from those who would delay your journey". While that part was hard enough, the next part "go your own way quietly, un-dramatically..." is likely to be much much harder.

Will I be able to do this and more importantly will those around me let me do this.

Only time will tell.

ps. I have absolutely no idea whatsoever, who Vernon Howard is, but I'm gonna go to google right now and look him up.

Some one actually read my blog......... his name is Sway and this is his site (I'd recommend a visit as one of his comments has already made me think).

http://sp989.spaces.live.com/

The line that made me think was

"...I was concentrating more on increasing my level, instead of enjoying the game..."

That statement hit me pretty hard... believe it or not, that is the game we play in life.

Some people concentrates more on gaining success but forgets to enjoy life! While others enjoys life but forgets about gaining success...

And it dawned on me... I have been concentrating on becoming successful and often I lose out on the fun. But if I concentrate on the fun... I might lose out on success...

I think there should be balance... what do you think?

I've heard the bit in inverted comma's many times- but it has always been mentioned in terms of computer games - but Sway's comments that this is how many people approach life, made me think hard about my life.

While I don't think that I am at the extreme end end of things - I do think that I could enjoy life more. No doubt, as things move on and I get caught up as the world rushes by, I will forget this lesson. The trick I need to learn is to remind myself of this regularly.

Well I hope all you sit back and think about the comments and look at whether you have the right balance between getting success and enjoying life. 

Oh dear... Again I haven't blogged in ages. But this time its not because of a lack of material... But this time its from having too much material, I honestly don't know where to start. And as each day goes by while I ponder what to write about (or to be more precise - what to rant about!!!) even more acts of incredibly ridiculous behaviour seem to slap me (and the rest of the ignorant populous) in the face.

Some of the stories that have caught my eye (actually its more like they've stunned me into paralytic submission with an industrial cattle prod) include:

• Internet service providers demanding that the BBC meet some of their costs which have increased due to popularity of the BBC iplayer (and there was me thinking that ISP's had already been paid by the users provide them with access!!!!!!!!!!!!);
• BT deciding to use technology (phorm) which many say amounts to illegal wire tapping;
• Everyone losing the plot in relation to the Beijing Olympics/Free Tibet campaign/Torch relay;
• English cricket chiefs deciding that they'll be the only country not to let their players play in the Indian Premier League (apparently they don't think that anyone is interested in earning half a million pounds for a couple of weeks work).

And these stories are only the tip of the iceberg!!!!