Christmas Blog

With just under 2 weeks until Christmas, the excitement seems to be finally setting in, amid the current financial climate. This week has seen the first major shopping trips by people, who were previously holding back, hoping for more sales.

With just the submission of 2 projects, standing in our way until we are on Christmas Holidays, I think I can say for everyone in BIS 1...we survived the first term!

With children all around the world editing their Santa lists, and the frenzied shopping along Patrick Street and so on, maybe we could wish for a little snow this year...it has been cold enough recently after all!

So...Merry Christmas everyone =)

No Christmas Ham??

Well, this week has proved a somewhat turbulent one for many reasons. It is only a couple of weeks until Christmas, but you wouldn't think it. The magic and warmth of the festive season is being overtaken by a glum atmosphere.

Retailers are feeling the pinch more and more each day, with Woolworths in the UK announcing its closing down sale, having been one of the most successful retailers for years. Amid the doom and gloom of the Financial crisis that is affecting all of us, you would think a glimmer of luck or hope was due to come our way. But you'd be wrong!

Instead, we had the chance to see our government, who, putting it mildy, are somewhat questionable!, attempt to sort out another setback. Last weekend saw the announcement that Irish pork products have been contaminated by deadly toxins and must be recalled immediately. So, in the run up to Christmas, the most productive time of year for pig farmers...the government puts a ban on Ham for Christmas.

Unfortunatey, the more problems that face our government, the less they are doing to convince us they are in control. With the Pork industry work over €2 billion to our country, this was the last thing we needed to break out across the world. Luckily, we did manage to avoid the recall of Beef aswell.

However, perhaps more disappointing than the actual contamination itself was that it later emerged that products not soley produced from isolated herds, and processed ones like cold meats shouldn't have been in question in the first place.

At a time when stress levels are high and finances are low, why does our Government persist in making it harder for us. We know face the task of firstly restoring consumer confindence in our own country, before having to turn our attention to all those countries who receive our exports.

We have an uphill battle on our hands to get this area back working to its full potential.

At this stage, I feel it is time for the government to either step up to the plate or ship out. The budget announced a couple of months back sent shockwaves through the country. And for the first time, it gave citizens the confidence to speak up and stand up for what is right. If they can't see what they're doing wrong themselves, the government have to acknowledge what the people of the country are saying. The face that the EU has now given the go-ahead for a second Referendum on the Lisbon Treaty in Ireland just compounds the fact our government don't LISTEN.

Comedian Des Bishop made an interesting and very relevant point on the Late Late show a few weeks ago. having lived in the US but having lived in Ireland alot of his life, he is in a prime position to compare and contrast between the two. He told Pat Kenny that he had thought that in a Referendum for the Lisbon Treaty, you either get to vote yes or no - not a crazy thought! Howver, it dawned on him that its like this: We can vote Yes, and thats grand, or we can vote No...and keep doing it until we get it right. They might as well vote for us.

Hobbies?!!!

So.....my hobbies!!

Well, I'm a huge Man United fan...as you can see from me blog! Unfortunately, I've only been to Old Trafford once.... so far!

I also enjoy art type stuff, like making cards

I enjoy most music types really...and concerts!....Chris Brown in January and Take That/The Script in June!

Premiership Preview

With Manchester United making a short trip to local rivals Manchester City on Sunday and with Chelsea playing Arsenal at Stamford Bridge straight after, this weekend promises to be an entertaining one.....

For the Skysports Premiership Preview, copy the link below:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_4556823,00.html

First MCQ

Well, November 20th 2008 saw me complete my first official college exam!...IS1102 MCQ....not as bad as first feared....as exams go!

Now roll on all the other exams and projects before Christmas =)

Man United Team News: Aston Villa vs. Man United

Man United have some fresh injury concerns ahead of their trip to Villa Park on Saturday evening.

After being forced off after 30 minutes in midweek for Bulgaria, Dimitar Berbatov will definitely miss this weekend's game and possibly the proceeding fixture.

However, it was revealed that Wes Brown will be out of action for at least five weeks, after exploratory surgery on an ankle injury.

Luckily, Wayne Rooney has managed to put himself in contention for a return to the starting line up, after recovering from a calf strain.

Possible Man United Line-Up: Van der Sar, Da Silva, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, O'Shea, Park, Tevez, Rooney.

Possible Aston Villa Line-Up: Friedel, Cuellar, Laursen, Davies, Luke Young, Ashley Young, Sidwell, Petrov, Barry, Milner, Agbonlahor.

Check out the SkySports preview at http://www.skysports.com/football/match_preview/0,19764,11065_3003872,00.html

Celtic 1 - 1 Manchester United

Wednesday night saw the return fixture of Manchester United and Celtic in this years Champions League.

Manchester United denied Celtic yet another glorious European night in Glasgow as Ryan Giggs' late equaliser cancelled out Scott McDonald's deftest of first half lobs.

An engrossing and full-bloodied Battle of Britain saw United boss possession from the first minute to the last but a combination of poor finishing, excellent goalkeeping and an infectious Celtic spirit saw Gordon Strachan's side go to within seven minutes of claiming another scalp.

United's second half onslaught was incessant and they were eventually rewarded late on when Artur Boruc, otherwise excellent, could only parry Cristiano Ronaldo's swerving drive from range into the path of Giggs, who nodded home from a couple of
yards.

No-one will need to have a second viewing at Ronaldo's next contribution though as his wickedly swerving shot had Boruc flapping.

The Celtic keeper meekly pushed it into the air, offering Giggs the easiest of close-range tap-ins, much to Ferguson's relief.

Man United 3 - 0 Celtic

Tuesday night saw Manchester United come out on top in their Battle of Britain clash with Celtic. United recorded their second win of this year's Champions League, extending their unbeaten run in the competition to 15 games.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side ran out deserved winners to remain at the pinnacle of Group E.

Defending champions United enjoyed the better of a lively first half at Old Trafford, with Celtic sloppy in possession.

Rooney - who it appears cannot help but score at present - added gloss to United's victory. He demonstrated all of his recent guile to take a touch on the edge of the box, turn, and curl past Boruc, adding a third to Berbatov's brace.

The Red Devils comfortably downed SPL side Celtic 3-0 to move to within touching distance of the last 16m on what was a successful night for everyone associated with Manchester United FC.

IS 1103 Blog Part 1

Well, here goes my first blog =)