We must have had 99 per cent of the match. It was the other three per cent that cost us.
- Ruud Gullit

Winning doesn't really matter as long as you win.
- Vinny Jones

I would not be bothered if we lost every game as long as we won the League.
- Mark Viduka

"Let no one accuse baseball of not being tough on drugs. During his baseball career, Steve Howe was given 7 lifetime suspensions."

- Bill Ferraro, baseball fan

"Sparky is the only guy I know who's written more books than he has read."
- Ernie Harwell (broadcaster), on Sparky Anderson's autobiography "They Call Me Sparky".

"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring."

- Rogers Hornsby

"I say this from the bottom of my heart, that if you don't root for the Dodgers, you might not get into Heaven."

- Tommy Lasoda

"I will perish this trophy forever." - Johnny Logan

"I know the name but I can't replace the face." - Johnny Logan

"Best player ever? I'd have to go with the immoral Babe Ruth." - Johnny Logan

After playing an exhibition game in Canada, Logan was surprised to learn that "even the kids speak French."

I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf."

-Tug McGraw, asked whether he preferred grass or Astroturf

"The only reason I don't like playing in the World Series is I can't watch myself play."

-Reggie Jackson

"People think we make $3 million and $4 million a year. They don't realize that most of us only make $500,000."

-Pete Incaviglia, baseball player, 1990

"[My] career was sputtering until [I] did a 360 and got headed in the right direction."

- NBA star Tracy McGrady, after signing with the Orlando Magic on Thursday.

"I'll always be Number 1 to myself."

-Moses Malone

"Sure there have been injuries and deaths in boxing - but none of them serious"

-Alan Minter

"Fear was absolutely necessary. Without it, I would have been scared to death."

-Floyd Patterson, former heavyweight boxing champion.

"You can sum up this sport in two words: You never know."

-Lou Duva, boxing trainer

"I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father"

-Greg Norman

Sources include:

Dumbest sports quotes

Labels: funny quotes

The Dreaming Spires of Oxford.

Humid the air! leafless, yet soft as spring,
The tender purple spray on copse and briers!
And that sweet city with her dreaming spires,
She needs not June for beauty's heightening

- Matthew Arnold

from: Thyrsis

Labels: oxford photos

A cricket pitch in Oxford, after the floods.

No play was possible today.

Labels: worldless wednesday

Harry Potter mania will be hitting the shops very soon. 21st July

The long awaited finale to the Harry Potter series – Harry Potter and the Deathly hallow is coming out on Saturday. J.K. Rowling finished writing it last year. She described the moment as a mixture of relief, satisfaction and regret. In truth, she is quite looking forward to getting rid of the huge wave of expectation that has met each book. The success of the book, has broke all previous records. The Half blood prince sold over 2 million copies on its first day of publication in Britain alone.

Speculation on the future of Harry Potter

Much has been speculated about whether Harry Potter lives or dies, J.K.Rowling has left the question open. On the one hand she understands why authors may wish to kill off characters, so other people can’t write stories continuing their adventures. On the other hand she said she was fearful about fans reactions if he did die. Interestingly, J.K.Rowling has entered into this arena, seeking to squash some of the fan's wildest speculative endings.

• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at Amazon.com

• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at Amazon.co.uk

Labels: Harry Potter, J.K.Rowling

Hall of the Gods is a new novel by G.M Masterson. Set in modern day Oxford, it also stretches its roots back to Ancient Egypt and the occult curses of the past. It is a good page turner, with a nice balance between action and factual embellishment of the story.

There are variety of interesting characters including the two most prominent characters; Frank Malone, the moody Irish professor; and Alexander, the childhood genius.

After setting the scene and introducing the key characters, the pace of the book hots up and becomes a good page turner. There are interesting perspectives on ancient Egypt set against the backdrop of modern Oxford.

If you want an intelligent action adventure I can recommend Alexander: Hall of the Gods. Once you have got into the story you will not want to put it down.

• Purchase: Hall of the Gods
• Mystery at Abydos
  
• Picture of the Pyramids, courtesy Julia Brocklesby.
  

Labels: book review

The Dalai Lama is the Tibetan leader in exile. He was chosen at a young age, to be the next Dalai Lama. In Tibetan Buddhist tradition, it is believed that the Dalai Lama takes many incarnations, coming back to alleviate suffering and offering compassion. Thus, from an early age the young Dalai Lama was groomed to be the spiritual and political leader of the Tibetan people.

However, as a young man, still learning the ropes of his position, disaster struck the Tibetan people as China invaded Tibet. The Chinese invasion caused much suffering and destruction for Tibetan culture. Fearing he would fall into the hands of the Chinese, the Dalai Lama fled to India where he set up a Tibetan government in exile. Despite the aggression of the Chinese, the Dalai Lama has sought to maintain a forgiving attitude and has argued for peaceful resolution of the conflict. However, largely ignnored by the Western powers, the return of Tibetan independence appears very unlikely.

As well as being the political figurehead for the Tibetan people, the Dalai Lama has also helped to popularise Buddhism amongst Westerners. His books on Buddhism have been on several best seller lists. He has sought to explain the Buddhist philosophy of non violence, compassion and liberation from earthly suffering.

• Dalai Lama.com
• Spiritual Biographies
• The 14th Dalai Lama at Nobel Prizes
  

Labels: spiritual

J.K.Rowling felt a mixture of sadness and relief when she finally finished the last book in the Harry Potter series. Relief due to the end of the relentless pressure from publishers and fans. Sadness because she had really enjoyed writing and developing the Harry Potter series.

Much speculation has gone into possible endings, on the one hand J.K.Rowling has taken an interest in fan speculation. She often enjoys finding the most absurd suggestions. However, the plot is being kept under tight raps; hopefully, they will avoid the situation last year, when the plot about Dumbledore being killed by Snape, leaked onto the internet.

It is uncertain what will come next for J.K.Rowling. One thing for certain though, is that she need to worry about paying her council tax. The Deathly Hallows is likely to break all previous records, she is already firmly established as the best selling author of her generation.

J.K.Rowling has said there will be one more book about Hogwarts, but it will not be in the same mould as the current books, it will be more factual.

• J.K.Rowling Biography

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7) at Amazon.com

Harry Potter and Spirituality

Labels: J.K.Rowling

Kofi Annan was the first African United Nations Secretary General. He came to office in 199? at a time when the United nations was under increasing pressure from various sources. Although, the UN has not been successful in all areas, Kofi Annan has been widely respected for his diplomatic and measured response to crisis situations. Despite the greatest provocations and difficulties, Kofi Annan remained calm and had an ability to look at any conflict from a detached outlook. Kofi Annan has proved to be very popular amongst UN staff. They appreciate his genuine commitment to the organisation. His devotion to the UN is widely documented and in his own words he has stressed the importance of the United Nations to the improvement of the world situation

"More than ever before in human history, we share a common destiny. We can master it only if we face it together. And that, my friends, is why we have the United Nations. "

• Political Biographies
• Humanitarian Biographies

Kofi Annan Biography at Nobel Prize.org

Labels: biography

More than anyone else, Martin Luther King stood as a figure head for the civil rights movement in America. It was Martin Luther King who was able to powerfully and eloquently express the aspirations of black people. His rhetoric was also visionary, he wished not for separation of blacks and whites (as some in the black power movement wanted; Martin Luther King made it clear that blacks and whites not only could live together, but to do so was absolutely necessary for benefit of society. Despite frequent threats against his life, Martin Luther King maintained a rigorous speaking schedule encouraging others to take part in non violent protest against the inequities of effective apartheid in American society. A landmark moment in the civil rights movement came at the million man march in 196? it was here that Martin Luther King gave his famous "I have a dream speech" It brought the civil rights movement to the heart of American politics. The desire for equality and an end to separation had been powerfully elucidated and it was not possible to ignore anymore. Within a couple of years Lyndon Johnson's administration had initiated important civil rights legislation, which effectively ended decades of separation on racial grounds.

Related

• Rosa Parks biography
• Martin Luther King biography
• Politician's Biographies
  

Labels: biography

John F Kennedy was elected at the start of a new era for American society. Elected in 1960 he was the youngest ever president; he seemed to offer a new vision and was able to inspire his fellow Americans that the American dream was a reality for all. His famous inauguration speech of 1960 included the resonant words. "Ask not what your country can do for you, rather ask what you can do for your country." This struck a deep chord with the American public, who aspired to bring to the fore the highest ideals of America. Amongst J.F.Kennedy's most important interventions was during the Cuban missile Crisis. At the time there was a real potential for a nuclear war, but through J.F.K's judicious handling a major conflict was avoided without any loss of face to the Americans. J.F.Kennedy was also instrumental in the evolution of greater equality and civil rights. Although the major civil rights legislation was implemented after his death, J.F.Kennedy made it clear that America should change its attitudes to racial discrimination. It provided an important backdrop for the later success of the civil rights movement.

• Political Biographies
• John F. Kennedy at Whitehouse
• John F. Kennedy Museum
  

Labels: biography

Nelson Mandela, once regarded by some as a terrorist, is now one of the most respected figures of the twentieth century. Nelson Mandela came to epitomise the struggle against apartheid and everything that was wrong with the old South African regime. Nelson Mandela fought to highlight the inherent injustice of the apartheid regime, and in the 1960s was sentenced to life imprisonment for his struggle against apartheid. His imprisonment became a rallying call for the opponents of apartheid, and demands for his release generated worldwide support.

Finally, after protracted negotiations, the South African regime relented and released Nelson Mandela in 1994. This enabled him to take part in negotiations, that would eventually lead to the end of apartheid and the first government elected by all. Mandela served as President for 2 terms, before retiring from politics. Mandela strived to unite South African society, in particular, he sought to avoid recriminations against the white population, which was desired by some after decades of mistreatment. His nobility and lack of resentment against those who mistreated him, helped to usher in a new fragile beginning. Without his steadying influence, the transition may have proved much more problematic.

• Biography Nelson Mandela
• Biography of Nelson Mandela at Nobel Peace Prize.org
• Nelson Mandela.org
  

Labels: biography

Mikhail Gorbachev was the architect of glasnost and perestroika. It was through his reforms that the grip of Communism was loosened in Eastern Europe. Through his vision, millions are now able to enjoy both political and religious freedom, that was previously denied them. Gorbachev, is not always given credit for the end of the cold war and the transformation of Communist society. However, when he came to power in 1981, there seemed little chance of the Communist party loosing its grip on power. Like Soviet leaders before him, Gorbachev, could have used his power for his own ends. However, he felt the necessity for both political and economic reform.

Very carefully, Gorbachev began dismantling the hold of the Communist party and allowing greater freedom of thought and belief. When eastern European countries announced their desire to leave the Communist block. Gorbachev did not send in tanks, like Prague 1956, instead he gave the transition his blessing. The Cold war had led the world perilously close to nuclear conflict. However, under Gorbachev the Soviet Union made real strides to reduce the arms race, through the negotiation of arms reduction treaties. By moving from a Communist dictatorship, to economic and political freedom the ideological divide between east and west narrowed, allowing an unprecedented decline in suspicion and hostility. Gorbachev will be remembered for his key role in bringing an end to the great divide between east and West, symbolised by the collapse of the Berlin wall; Gorbachev enabled a new era for both the Soviet Union and the world.

More: political biographies

• Mikhail Gorbachev - official site

• Mikhail Gorbachev
• Mikhail Gorbachev at Amazon
  

Labels: biography

50 Women who changed the World

I was in the Louvre in Paris today. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see the Mona Lisa, too many crowds. However, there is good reason why the photo is so captivating. Leonardo da Vinci was not just a great painter, he was also very spiritual. In the Mona Lisa he was trying to capture an expression of deep inner reflection

Labels: video