Party Time!

What is it with kids' birthday parties these days? In my day, we'd all pile around the birthday boy or girl's house, cram into their living room and tuck into jelly and ice cream after the obligatory pin the tail on the donkey.

Not now. Oh, no. Today's kids' parties are all themed, it seems, and involve hiring halls. Rollerblading, football, cooking, chocolate making...the list is a lengthy one. It's my daughter's seventh birthday party on Sunday. Apparently there is a disco theme.

Well as far as I'm concerned, she's quite old enough to know now that life can be full of disappointments. There's no way I'm spending two hours listening to Katy Perry, One Direction, or any other talentless no-mark who happens to have won the most recent X-Factor or whatever. So I'm going to take over responsibility for the music - these seven year olds need educating. And if I hear one tiny, whispered complaint about The Stone Roses, Oasis, Stereophonics or The Verve, there will be carnage. That, I can promise.

Oh. One other thing. If any grubby, sticky little eight year old oik goes anywhere near my daughter....

Unless his parents are rich of course. That's different.


Two blogs I want to mention tonight.

The author of My Betting Life has decided to stop following his portfolio of services. If you haven't already done so, please do read his last post. In it he explains how the fun has gone out of what he was doing and out of a sport, horse racing, that he previously enjoyed. It's a post full of heartfelt honesty and to my mind, that shows a real strength of character. I think that the person to whom it is most difficult to be 100% honest with is yourself. I admire him for the fact that he has obviously been just that, but for selfish reasons I regret his decision to bring an end to his following of a portfolio of tipping services, for his was the blog I would always look forward to reading. Good luck, mate.

But as one blog finishes, another begins. I'm pleased to draw your attention to it....matt-on-form.blogspot.com (I've added a link to the right). Now readers of my blog know that I recommended The Value Bettor, and his results have certainly ensured that the recommendation was sound. Well, Matt has an eye for a value bet too and I know for a fact he learnt a lot from TVB, so he has a sound pedigree. Finiding bets at great value is Matt's speciality and his blog is going to outline the reasoning behind his picks. It's a top read, so if you're at all interested in horse racing, make sure you go and have a look. You won't regret it. Oh, and he's a Gooner too. Top man!


Today's Betting

A good profit today, courtesy of Chasemaster, who went large on a very nice winner (Belmore Baron - Sedgefield - 6/1). No joy for Northern Monkey (0/1) or The Market Examiner, or On The Nose (0/1).

On The Nose: Staked 0.5pts, -0.5pts.
Northern Monkey: Staked 2pts, -2pts.
The Market Examiner: Staked 3pts, -3pts.
Chasemaster: Staked 0.5pts, +1.62pts.


Month to Date

Racing
Northern Monkey: Staked 21.75pts, -9.55pts, roi -43.91%
4PA: Staked 43.5pts, -3.312pts, roi -7.61%
Chasemaster: Staked 7.375pts, +2.998pts, roi 40.65%
WRT: Staked 9.1pts, +1.945pts, roi 21.38%
The Sportsman Racing: Staked 5.25pts, +1.363pts, roi 25.96%
On The Nose: Staked 22.75pts, +1pt, roi 4.39%
The Market Examiner: Staked 36pts, -0.245pts, roi -0.68%


Sports
TFA 7/22: Staked 14pts, +5.485pts, roi 39.17%
Skeeve: Staked 47pts, +8.369pts, roi 17.8%
Football Elite: Staked 11pts, +6.445pts, roi 58.59%
The Sportsman: Staked 0.5pts, 0pts, roi 0%
On The Oche: Staked 3pts, -0.75pts, roi -25%
Strike Zone (h): Staked 11pts, -3.3pts, -30%


OK. I'm off to plan my track list for Sunday. What first?...Cigarettes And Alcohol or The Drugs Don't Work. Decisions, decisions.

See you Monday.