Carnivore Chris

These are good from Buenos Aires @Berserker, but I think they split up years ago. The accent works well for me. This is why I like the hip hop from there. Away from the obvious like Mexico and Cuba, Colombia also has a big scene. Most of it is "underground" which is what I like. They speak about real issues.

Yeah, you have some.of the best rock in the Spanish speaking world for me. I listen to a bit of that as well. Listening to tango and cumbia make me want to pack a suitcase and go on holiday. @JoshBRFC

Ter Stegen, De Jong, Pedri, Fati, Dest, Araújo, Puig...keep these, build on it with young players and within a few years there will be a competitive team again, that can win leagues and give a good showing in the Champions. Maybe not a dominant side like the one containing Messi, Alves, Puyol, Xavi and Iniesta, but that team was a once in a lifetime, you'll never get another Barcelona team like that again in our time I don't think. Dembélé is looking fitter and stronger all the time himself. If he stays away from injury (which seems to be the case now) then he can be one of the stand out names in Europe in the coming years. This is actually a better group of players than given credit for, but they are still young and learning. The more they play together, the better they develop. The defence has been the biggest issue, with many silly mistakes that cost games, although that can even improve with the personnel currently at the club as they are young lads who are still learning. I also rate Eric García, he hasn't been given the chance for City but looked assuring for his age for Spain when I saw him and he'll fit in better back at home. The midfield isn't short of talent and the attack is only really a striker away from being an exciting front line. I wouldn't rule Messi out in staying either as it's not just about him, but his family, who don't want to leave Barcelona. It's all about who comes in as president and the progression shown before the end of the season. Atlético are too far ahead to be caught now, after another convincing victory last night in the 3-1 against Valencia and the Champions league will be a big ask with such a young and new team. But a win in the Copa del Rey is possible and would help the development of this team and show promise. Then again, in terms of Messi, the problem could be paying him and it may be more beneficial for the future for him to leave unfortunately. The problem is, he'll go to PSG to be with his bum boy Neymar, likely with Sergio Ramos following him if reports are to be believed. That'd be quite sad as they are a horrible club and It'd be better to see him at Bayern(I don't think the Prem would be a wise move at this stage of his career), but Bayern don't tend to buy old players, even ones of that quality. Saying that, Messi, Neymar and Mbappe with Ramos would be an exciting side at the same time. De Jong is also showing alot of maturity now. He bossed the game yesterday. As for the debts, it's a huge worry but there could be way to solve the issue as you mentioned. What will definitely change is the big money signings going in, although It could work out as a blessing as the transfer policy of buying anyone with talent didn't work, a proper rebuild of youngsters was needed. A team with an identity who develop playing together, gathering an understanding. It's a shame the club couldn't buy a player like Haaland or Mbappe, along with an experienced defender though, as they alone would make a big difference.

I salute ambulances whenever they go past me, it's amazing how many salute back. As for vaccines, the Lancaster town hall has been converted into a vaccine centre now. I walked past today and told them I'll have one there and then but they said you have to wait until contacted. Should just send the army out shooting every cunt with darts

India planning on vaccinating 300 million people by August. That's some challenge but they are well on course. They have also recently sent out a huge shipment of vaccines to Brazil.

Can the government get any lower with that "look into my eyes" advert? Wow, they really get worse in this country. They are sick. The father Christmas in a hospital bed over Christmas was even worse. Sick people, trying to blame the public for their own fuck ups while many people have sacrificed their mental, physical and financial well being. What a disgusting country this is.

For entertainment I think all the top 5 leagues are still, including the French league, which is often underlooked. La Liga has been very entertaining this season itself. But my worry Ricardo is that whenever a player shines now, they are likely to move to the same league and it has made football quite tedious in this regard. The entertainment is there, but quality is lacking compared to the past in many leagues. With this said, do you not think football in general is going through a "transition period"? I think the sport is currently lacking the big stars we are used to witnessing. The plus side is that I can't remember the last time there were so many quality teenagers, so it'll only be temporary. Anyway, I hope AC Milan win it, I've always preferred them over the likes of Juve and Inter. Fiorentina was always my favourite Italian team but AC are the one I've always had admiration for. I was actually thinking of starting to watch more South American football again as I've enjoyed the Copa Libertadores.

Well it's been snowing lately I'd say a mix of history, size, lifestyle..the problem isn't attracting talent anymore, but the lack of funds to actually purchase them. However I think Barcelona are going the right direction. Pedri, Dest and Ansu have the potential to be real stars and spending big money on crap has been the club's main downfall in recent years. Coutinho and Griezmann especially were terrible signings really and cost the total of 250 million or so the money has been invested terribly. Pedri has been the best signing in years, he was 17(18 now) and was purchased for around 4 million. De Jong was also a great signing and a few years of rebuild could work out well, although the club will now have to take a new approach due to financial crisis. Similar to how Bayern function, as Ricardo mentioned. What people forget also is that the team under Pep and Enrique were special sides, there was always going to be a drop when Xavi, Puyol, Iniesta and Alves retire, Messi ages and Busquets and Alba decline(not to mention players like Suarez, Villa, Eto'o and Neymar over the years). It was a once in a lifetime era for the club and football runs in cycles.

All leagues are like this now though, as the Premier league has become the NBA of football unfortunately. There is talk of the Serie A, but I personally believe it's terrible compared to what it should be. The quality is closer to the MLS than the Serie A of the 90s and it's become more competitive due to Juventus declining. C.Ronaldo is their only top player right now. These clubs themselves can no longer compete for the big money signings in the long run. We won't be seeing Mbappe going there or Haaland, for example, that is for sure. La Liga will become more open now itself and that's not because of quality, but due to a lack of it. It's exciting to watch but I've never known it to be so devoid of world class stars. I would say the Bundesliga is full of young talent and should, in theory, be about to step into a great era. However, other than Bayern, the other 17 clubs are simply warming players up ready to move to the Premier League. They can't compete with these ridiculous TV deals and foreign investors. It will only become significantly worse and especially since the covid crisis. This is also why a European Super league will inevitably be formed, as clubs will break off in an attempt to create a league which can compete financially with the Premier league, which itself is a Super League. Football will never be the same again and VAR has destroyed it itself. It was an awful decision to implement technology in this sport. It doesn't work.

The covid crisis is the main issue. The amount of money lost from fans not being in stadiums is huge. Last time I went it was 74 euros for the ticket and that's the medium price range, which shows the level of money lost. Not to mention the money spent during the games themselves, on all the merchandise sold on the stalls outside, food and drinks in the little bar, etc. It's a huge loss. Saying that, it may be a blessing in some senses as Barcelona are shit at spending money unless it's on the real big stars anyway. More players like Pedri and Ansu and less players like Griezmann and Coutinho could work out well in the future.

I agree, for not introducing me to that friend of his all those years ago....

I've been in and out of work since April, but will admit that recently it's been more because I've felt physically ran down and I haven't been in the right mind frame, although there are jobs about, so I need to get back to it I'd say. Before Christmas I completed a Spanish teaching course online, obtained a distinction for it and my plan was to continue working in construction while gaining experience volunteering as a Spanish teaching assistant for a few hours a week (either at the uni, or a local language school in town) and gradually improve my working life but obviously that will have to wait due to restrictions. So there are plans for the future atleast. You've done the right thing in staying at work mate. Work is a farce that we all moan about, but it gives you the normality you need and helps distract the mind. It also keeps you active. That's another thing mate, kids need normality at whatever age. Even at school, it's not just education, but the social aspect. Not socialising as a teenager and sitting in all the time can create social anxiety quite easily. It starts to feel "normal" to sit in all day.

I've read about people having no main symptoms but still suffering long covid. It's a nasty virus in general and with it being new there are so many questions which can't be answered. Also lockdowns can only make people ill themselves as it's not normal. I doubt anybody is feeling 100% themselves. My lungs and chest feel dodgy but I haven't developed a cough nor a single cold or bug since this time last last year. Also I'm not wheezy, so it could even be muscular skeletal problems, which is common among construction workers eventually. I can go for nice walks again without feeling too bad, just little pains. Stomach isn't great either and I've had pains all over. The nausea has pretty much disappeared however(apart from in periods), as have the shivers, light headedness and cold sweats and there are no problems when it comes to eating. The appetite was awful for a week but since then I've been eating better than ever probably. The problem is, anxiety and stress causes all types of shit, so that doesn't help. It actually led to panic attacks at first(which I thought was a heart attack and ended up at the hospital ), although they have long past now. Mentally I'm alright now, well much better in this regard atleast. I don't have a clue but if I keep slowly doing more and more exercise as I have been doing lately(long walks, a few weights, hitting a punch bag, etc), mixed with a better diet, I'll probably slowly get fitter again. It could work in my favour in the end anyway as I've cut out added sugar, cannabis(which has been substituted with CBD and eliminates any cravings), fizzy drinks, cut out fast food and made changes to my diet. I've never been close to being obese but it can still cause alot of damage to your insides if you overdo it. The smoking needs to stop though definitely, but that's much harder to say than do, especially when you've recently stopped smoking cannabis. Being inactive for a few months when used to not stopping is never going to make you feel great either. By "staying in to save lives" you're potentially causing alot of damage to yourself. The problem is, how else do you tackle a pandemic? Whatever you do, you're on the losing side I suppose.

You'd have to stick it up your nose properly though first I'm guessing

I probably didn't push it up enough(waits for the "that's what she said" jokes....) In fairness though, if I had it, it would have been 4+ weeks ago because I've not had Covid symptoms, and it's "long covid" what I've been suspicious of. I just don't know what's wrong with me as 3 different doctors have said 3 different things. Maybe I'm just always going to suffer from chronic pain from now on. I'm fucked either way. I feel like I'm recovering, then like shit again.

I've sent it off. Probably haven't done it properly as I couldn't rub the cotton bud on my tonsils for longer than about 5 seconds, buy did each tonsil twice. I have shit gag reflexes. If I'd gone to a walk in centre, they'd have ended up with sick all over them

I ordered it other night and it's coming today. It'll be negative anyway as I'd have had 5 weeks or so ago if anything.

I think it's fair to say that if @Dr. Gonzo was anti-vaccine yesterday, he's not today...

I didn't notice you'd responded to this. Good to see you back mate. Argentina has some great hip hop mate, well music in general. Brilliant.

I've got a test coming although even if I've had it, I don't think it'll show anyway I don't think as it's "long covid" what I'll have. People are suffering from that without the main symptoms. I wanted one a week ago but it said the only available ones were at drive in test centres, although they are available now so I've been able to order one.

I haven't tested positive as I haven't had any tests but I've been ill as fuck for weeks(better now, but still get pains, nausea and feel fucked when I do physical activity) and after a good check up yesterday, the doctor said I've probably had a virus. But also I've been under tremendous stress. I didn't have any symptoms in terms of cough or high temperature(which, if I'd have contracted it, it would have been around 5 or so week ago) but I've had all the signs of "long covid". This explains the chest pains and why I thought I was having heart attacks or my lungs were dying. Also the cold sweats, chills, etc I was getting, the lack of appetite, anxiety and general feeling of being unwell. I don't know how I'd have caught it if so though? Probably supermarkets? I'd do a test but it'd be too late now anyway. Besides you can't go for one around here without a car as you can only drive in to the covid test centre.

I'm just watching "A place in the sun" now and there is this amazing bungalow in Cyprus and it costs 40 grand! Wow. It's not far from the sea, in a beautiful area with character, palm trees, clean area, nice neighbours, a pool...

I'm not 21 really, but 34. I always had Spike down as late 20s or so.

He's probably about my age I'm guessing, he comes across as that, so 21!