Strike Factory

Sorry for the lack of updates in recent weeks, I have been taking a break to try and get over the depression. Firstly I would like to thank the McCarthy family for the great BBQ, thanks for the great bbq work Tom and Alison as ever. Plus thanks for being the great host Mr Scott McCarthy. There was plenty of highlights at this years one, with the first bout of violence in the pass the parcel in which yours truly won the Virgin Mary, and some plastic gloves which I forgot to collect from McCarthy Towers.

Anyway there could have been two bouts of violence with Neil Kane being involved in both incidents, as me and Kane had a slanging match throughout much of the pass the parcel it nearly turned into a melee between me and the famous Sussex County League football star. Luckily Mr Ball managed to keep his cool. Surprisingly a row developed between Neil Kane and James Calver, over how the parcel should be correctly passed. Which led to a duel between the two. The funny thing was that James Calver was trying to be a peacemaker between me and Kane earlier on in the pass the parcel competition when it looked like it would turn nasty.

If you want to check out Kane and Calver playing with Tomato Ketchup, plus the exclusive McCarthy/ Ball duet of Last Christmas along with Christmas songs sung by other guests, check out the video links at McCarthys site.

http://www.mac-i.co.uk/bbq08/videos.htm

The other highlights included, Tom Withams obsession with playing the German National Anthem, due to getting tired debating with fellow Brighton fans on whether Kerry Mayo should maintain the pitch of Withdean. There was the legendary discussions with Rumble on 90's Eurodance. Testing poisionous vodkas with Jamie Jones. Mark Potter dancing to Steps with his oven glove on that he won in pass the parcel, and finally Dan Collins claim to the throne of France and England through his ancestors the Plantagenets who reigned over England. There were other stories but I could go on all day.

Then afterwards it was off to Brighton. To meet up with Wilko and co, at Audio to celebrate the 31st anniversary of Matthews birth. It was a shame that his birthday and BBQ clashed with McCarthys annual BBQ but it was still a brilliant occasion. Afterwards I enjoyed the rest of the night having beers and listening to the likes of Moby, and informing fluffer (of NSP), that I have a wide taste of dance music that goes beyond 2Unlimited.

Apart from that weekend I am planning a new project in which I need contributors details will be announced in the next 24 hours. Plus through neighbour Paul there will be pictures for my fashion section including me showing my feminine side again with a bit of assistance through the legendary Heidi Marshall. Keep in touch.

Sign up for mr Balls Strike Factory Super League with this code on the fantasy Premier League code 54439-18879

Plus see if you can beat my mighty Crazy Ravers there will be a nice prize for the winner of the competition which I will keep a mystery.

Meanwhile Mr Ball has just about completed his college course, though it looks unlikely I will be attending the University of Sussex to study history. However fear not, I will find something hopefully. At least the benefits are I will not drift off into mountains of debt. I would like to thank the NSP crew for their support, and will do my best to continue fighting off the depression.

So looks like it will be a summer of jobhunting, cricket, and fun nights at Audio. Plus I am currently fighting my bank who have charged me up to 40 pounds all over a transaction that was only a pound.

Have a good summer and there will be new pictures coming up, and this site is currently going through a revamp, with the weblinks being updated as some were dead, or needed a new link (as in the case of North Stand Polls).

Afternoon people the lack of updates has been largely due to Mr Ball being busy with his homework, plus being distracted (not just by Natalie Horler) by the British tennis season, and the odd Euro 2008 match.

 Mr Ball finishes his homework over the weekend marking the end of the college year so the holiday season begins for Mr Ball, who will be making a guest appearance at Jared Evans birthday party tomorrow, in return for Jared Evans appearance at the one and only Strike Factory Beach Cup last year.

Sadly due to Nationwide charging Mr Ball an outrageous penalty fare for accidently going over the overdraft limit, it has ended Charles Balls hopes of European adventure in 2008, so it will have to be a UK tour sadly adventures in certain parts of the UK. Mr Ball has plans to visit his old school headmaster the legendary Mr Peter Moxon and his wonderful wife Anne Moxon.

In addition Mr Ball will be once or twice a month raving in a different areas of the South of England, starting at Brighton, Mr Ball will experience clubbing at Worthing courtesy of old schoolmate Eddie Biddle, Eastbourne, and possibly other areas of Sussex, if you fancy showing Mr Ball the wonderful nightlife in your area whether in Sussex or outside get in touch via the comments section and I will respond.

Mr Charles Ball, is trying to study, and has decided that as the internet is such a great distraction for people at times he is for a uncertain period of time not going to use it. It distracts in dangerous and disturbing ways. Much like getting RAPED. This may or may not be the last time you hear from Mr Charles Ball. Its been a great pleasure entertaining you lot and I will be back soon, but won't confirm the time or date.

Good day everyone, watch out for the banana skin near you. Mr Charles Ball is going AWOL! 

Not much to report on other than the extended essays and college work to sort out. But would like to say thank you to Dan Rolf for inviting me to his birthday celebrations in Brighton last Friday. We had plenty of fun, even if a temp camera bizarrely attacked our crew. More details coming up soon. Hopefully I can pass this course, and continue to enjoy Micky Adams new revolution at Brighton and Hove Albion FC.

Been busy with homework the last two weeks, managed to finally get some counselling last Tuesday and allready starting to feel better. I am able to focus more on work etc. Meanwhile I should be making a appearence on the next ITV Meridian Soccer Night, which people that live in the South East Area (outside London), should be able to see my interview on my thoughts of the Brighton and Hove Albion team. If you live outside the ITV Meridian area, you can view my appearance on regional tv on the ITV Local website. 

Meanwhile I will be appearing at a few Go Brighton music events the next month, plus am saving up for my summer tennis adventures where I hope to meet and possibly interview some tennis pros exclusively for this website. But must be off to sort out my homework fist.

Just to wish everyone happy St Georges Day. I will be marking it by having a few drinks (not getting drunk like the Irish), wearing my England Rugby top and watching Elizabeth: The Golden Age. St Georges Day is also celebrated by a few other nations as well as scouts nationwide.

It is sad these days it is not celebrated in the same way as the Welsh, the French and Scots celebrate their national days (apart from rural areas of England), it is possibly due to the far right organisations such as BNP and the NF, and also too much negative history taught about England, plus the endless corperate business which is killing off local businesses, and the restrictions of pubs and the fact the St Georges Cross gets too assocaitated with sports. Which seems to be contributing to the waning English culture. Plus that it is possibly to much tied in with Britishness. Plus too many louts who partly due to education smear at English traditions such as Morris Men

I agreed with a article in the local Argus by Adam Triningham today, saying we should be marking St Georges Day to save local business's and great English traditions such as pubs, post offices etc. As well as marking great things about English culture and figures such as Lord Nelson, George Stephenson, Elizabeth I, Alfred The Great, Florence Nightingale, Mary Seacole and William Blake the list is endless. The English have contributed largely in the fields of literature, enginerring (Eg Brunel and Stephenson), and various other areas.

I am not the foriegn hating person that thinks England is perfect, like everywhere around the world England has its up and downs. For better or for worse I am English and England is my home. Anyway I leave you with the great William Blakes Jerusalem.

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?

And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark Satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!

I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.

- William Blake

I have spent the last week taking it easy from college and fighting my depression, I managed to arrange some counselling appointment through Connexions in Crawley, the sessions will start next week possibly. Been a bit frustrated about the wait but hopefully it will help me get over the difficulties of the last 4 years since leaving home. Also I will not sort out my council flat application until I have finished the course, and am in a better state financially, spiritual, and physically.

Meanwhile I attended the REMF game last Friday, watching the match enjoying beers with Ben Miller, and Mr and Mrs Sebbage. Overall the mighty Seagulls featuring the likes of Andy Rumble, Scott McCarthy, and Simon Barrett, manged to win on penaltys.

On the train back traveling up with the Miles Brothers, we witnessed some hilarious scenes from Hassocks Station to Burgess Hill there were two drunk guys who hilariously on the orders of police dumped their bottled drinks at Hassocks Station smashing on the floor everywhere outside the train luckily, both were singing. Though by the time the train arrived at Burgess Hill one had completely passed out and the other guy had to drag the person (George or Jose possibly Jose was a slurred version of George) out.

I managed to save a neighbours life on Saturday night, I was watching TV in the lounge, when I thought I could hear someone groaning, and faintly asking for help. It was just after midnight and everyone where I live were just about fast asleep. I went to disturb Eamonn Rea, who was enjoying his dreams about naked blonde Swedish women messing about with Harps. We explored around the outside of the building and found one of our elder neighbours on the floor drunk (he rarely gets drunk), apparently he had been to his sons housewarming party just down the road. We both managed to get him out the cold and into the warmth of the indoors.

It was lucky I was up after midnight, if I had gone to bed a bit earlier I would not have heard his crys, and he would have frozen to death.

Meanwhile it is the easter holidays for me, and I will be in attendance of the REMF game on Friday cheering on my fellow Brighton supporters.