Good Morning, DU!

:donut: :hi: *YAWN* I just LOVE early mornings!

:hi: Right on time today, aren't you? After the fuss we made yesterday, you'll never be late again ;)

Good morning, Ahem! I don't know what the deal was yesterday, but today...woke up right on time! :hi:

rely on your inner clock?

If I have to be to work early or something, I set the alarm *just in case*. Otherwise, my inner clock.

Hello, hello, Buffy!!! What a party going on in THAT smilie! Sorry about yesterday, my dear! Slept till 7:30! Couldn't even believe it!

It's not like being here at DU is your duty or anything. :-)

Especially with all that's going on right now.

We'd hate to lose you!

I'm not going ANYWHERE! I love being here with you! :hug:

I like having you here with me/us!

I love BEING here with you! :hug:

Better timing today :taps-watch-face:

Hope that all's well in Tallahassee (which is probably spelt incorrectly - but if you will take such dodgy place names what can you expect). :hi:

Yes, we have some crazy names don't we? How are ya today, buddy?

I'm good today - though my heart-rate is already rising for the final test.

How's you doing?

Hopefully my work day will go by fast. I'm off tomorrow. What's this final test all about anyway?

The top cricketing countries in the world play against each other in test matches - these are 2 innings and up to 5 days long. Each summer 1 or 2 countries will travel to England to play a series of tests here (this summer being Australia and Bangladesh).

This particular series is especially wonderful for two reasons - first it's the Ashes, and secondly the current position of Australi in the world.

When England lost to Australia for the first time in 1882 they were presented later with a small urn (below) containing the ashes of two bails (part of the cricket stumps) representing "the Ashes of English Cricket". This now forms the trophy for which the two teams nominally compete (the urn itself is at the M.C.C. museum at Lords in London). It is one of the oldest and deepest sporting rivalries. For more information see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ashes

This year's is even more gripping than usual - for the past few years the Australian team have been incredibly dominant (there tends to be one team which rises above the others, before Oz. it was the West Indies - I reckon that it will pass to India or Pakistan soon), whilst England have been comparatively weak. We haven't won the Ashes for several years, but have put up a very good fight this year (the series is currently 2-1 to England's favour). The teams are very well matched which makes for thrilling cricket, and hours spent on the edge of one's seat watching it.

England batting 61-0 after 13 overs.

For on-line information http://www.ecb.co.uk (including a live-scoreboard)

To hear commentary on the wonderful Test-Match Special (ball-by-ball coverage, plus lots of general chatter about the weather, pigeons, and cakes which have been sent to the commentators) http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/4219288.stm

The Ashes:

I get it. I was a little adrift there for a few minutes.

It's far better if you've got a drink in hand, slowly watching the day pass, especially if there's idyllic weather.

:hi: :hug: I'm glad to see YOU too! You hangin in there?

:hi:

:hug:

I am just having my lunch break :D

Good to see you this morning! I hope you're doing just fine! :hug:

not in the best mood today, for whatever reason, but otherwise I can't really complain. Weekend is coming closer

Sorry to hear that, MissHoney. I hope the weekend helps!

gonna be at my mom's. That means good food and a relaxed time.

We ALL need that sometimes. :hug:

I'll be right back, folks!

You'll need it over there - tell us how many times you get acused of being in the Klan, or the Republican Party, or indeed the Nazi Party.

You know...I've NEVER been called any of those things. I guess I'm just lucky. I know there are people out there who get flamed for just BEING in GD! I don't understand it, let me tell ya.

:P

I've never been called them either - but then I'm very careful about phrasing in G.D. on the very odd occasions that I potter over there. Mostly I just get ignored.

I rarely ever START a thread over there. It's usually brimming over with posts that are exactly what I'm thinking or feeling at the time too, so I just respond. Maybe THAT'S why.

How terribly boring.

To be honest - I can't say that I am either. Though I'm sure that many freepers would look agast if I started to explain many of my political views to them.

I have to go get ready for work now...x(

I hope everyone has a great day today and I'll be back on around 5:30pm or so. Bye for now! :hi: