The second big news for Manchester today. Manchester has been chosen as the location of Britain’s first super casino.

It was one of the outsiders for the vote and the favs were London and Blackpool. It will be built in the East side of Manchester in Sportcity which is near to the City of Manchester stadium. It might be a good time to buy property in Manchester or in particular around the East Manchster area near Beswick.

It may not be a completely good thing though. Even though it will create jobs etc it could create problems such as gambling problems. Many years ago in America in Atlantic City they got there first super casino – it was thought to do lots for the place and improve it etc. However its not worked out and the crime rate is apparently still high – its really just geared towards tourists and not the people who live there.

NB – The deal is not a 100% done thing and is in fact only a ‘recommendation’.

The parking charge proposal has been dropped!!! The stupid plan to charge for on-street parking from 8am to midnight has been dropped.

Councillor Swannick, the man who was the architect of the proposals to charge you to park in the city for 77 days a week from 8am to midnight. He has bowed down to pubic objection. Manchesterconfidential.com received 4,444 emails and The Manchester Evening News received 3000 emails. Here is the statement:

“As the overwhelming majority of responses to the consultation from city centre residents, workers, businesses and their customers alike have been hostile to these proposals, I have no hesitation in withdrawing them.”

Related links:

Manchesterconfidential.com
Manchester Evening News

There are plans to introduce congestion charges to Manchester. Plans will be announced in the summer apparently. However no one seems to agree with it. The congestion charge ‘works’ in London because it has a well established public transport system in the centre e.g. the tube. Lets hope the council come to there senses are drop this idea just like they have dropped the plans for the changes to on-street parking.

Can’t be bothered to write too much about Big Brother. The final 3 were my favs. They were the most normal nicest people in there. I missed the start of the final because I was watching Top Gear – which was brilliant!! Jo and Jade were not there – apparently they are in hiding after receiving death threats.

Like I said, Top Gear was great. I am so happy it is back and that all 3 of them are back. On the show there was the usual review of some guy (new Jag), some mad challenge (re-tarmacing road in 24 hours) but the main feature on the show is the video of ‘Hamsters’ crash. It was an amazing video and he is so so lucky to be alive.

Jeremy Clarkson made a few comments about Big Brother and made a great comment about Jade calling her something like a “racist pig and waste of organs”. LOL

On Radio 1 on the Chris Moyles show there is a feature where their sport presenter talks to footballers. She has talked to people like David Beckham and Thierry Henry. On todays show she spoke to Joey Barton (plays for Man City). They are asked the same questions every time like “Chinese or Indian?” and “Blonde or Brunette”.

However the genius that Joey Barton answered with some classic answers. When asked “Best thing about being footballer?” You would think he would say stuff about the money, hours, doing something you love – ppl would do for nothing. Instead he said that its that he sometimes gets stuff cheap and free. Otherwise its like a normal job. LOL. The question straight after was his best thing he bought recently: a race horse. Dear me!!! LOL

United beat Portsmouth over the weekend. It was an OK game but we really won 4-1. We had 2 perfectly fine goals and the linesmen got it wrong. Rooney scored 2 goals including a great goal from about 20 yards out reminiscent of a goal by Cantona. Vidic scored from a corner and the ball went over the line but the ref didnt give it. Laarson scored a great goal but it was given offside – looking at the replays it was absolutely fine.

Lets hope Rooney scores a few more now. Hes not been in good form this season. As it quite often said about Rooney – class is permanent, form is temporary. However I just wish he would be in better form more often!

Chelsea played aswell and they beat Forest. Chelsea were miles better and it wasnt that interesting a match. However one thing about the match which was funny was when Shevchenco was fouled and hurt his head the camera panned to Jose who was laughing hysterically. LOL.

It was my friends birthday last weekend (well Friday to be precise). A few of us met up and went to Pesto for lunch. If you have never been its like Italian Tapas. We were going to go to Walkabout but once we got in there it was very busy and no tables. Everyone was watching the football – Liverpool v Chelsea. Liverpool were winning so I was happy! After the food everyone went back to my place – since I only moved in a few weeks ago. On the way we went to Sainsburys to stock up on some snacks and drinks.

Later on in the evening we went for a meal in San Carlo. I have been there once before and really like it. Second only to Milan. I had something similar to last time – a seafood based pasta. It was not quite as nice as last time – last time tasted abit better and maybe had more variety of seafood. Still it was very nice. Afterwards we went to Pure. We got there really early – about 930 – and sat on the comfy sofas. Time flew by and was around midnight before I realised. Some people had to leave and it looked like others were going to leave aswell. However a few of us wanted to stay out and persuaded the birthday girl to stay and have a dance (I think she wanted to stay out). We stayed till around 3 ish (I think). Once out of the club we all smelt the food from the hot dog stand – it smelled delicious. It did taste nice but I think anything would have as I was hungry!!

Photos now online!!

The day after I went to play football. First time played for a few weeks since we stopped over Christmas. It was good to play football after such a long time not. Met up with friends once got back to Manchester and then we watched the football. Everyone else left at half time as someone had to get train but I just had to watch the rest. However Arsenal beat United 2-1 with a last minute goal from Henry. We played well and defended well – it was just the last 10 minutes when we let it slip. Evra in particular played well setting up our goal and also a couple nice tricks.

Andy Cole has said he thinks United could win the treble this year . He said: “The side now is very different from the one I played in. We were very much a team and everyone played for each other — now they have some fantastic individuals.” “Rooney and Ronaldo are great talents and great individuals and, with players like them in your side, there is always a chance.” “They are favourites to win the Premiership, are in the last 16 of the Champions League and always seem to do well in the FA Cup.” Cole said this the weekend before his new club Portsmouth played United in the FA Cup.

Cantona

Another United legend Eric Cantona has gone further and said Chelsea’s reign as champions is already over. Not only that, he predicts the Blues will be playing catch-up for several years to come. “United can beat Chelsea in the league, for sure. There is no doubt about that.” “They are stronger than Chelsea at the moment — and will be for a long time. They have brought in young players like Rooney and Ronaldo and Alex Ferguson has a lot of experience helping young players. Not all managers can do that but he can find the right balance on the pitch.” Cantona thinks that Fergie’s policy of giving the younger players a chance is better than Chelseas way of buying the ‘best’ players and trying to mould them into a team. He added: “Last year, United had a new team, it was a new generation. But I was sure they’d become the best because you’re stronger when you start with a new generation of players.” “That is because you can work with them together for a long time.” “United have the balance at the moment which makes them the best team in England.” ““They’re strong but they have to prove they’re a great team. But they can win the Treble and they need to do it.”

No.7

On the topic of his old No. 7 shirt and player now wearing it (Ronaldo). “Ronaldo needed to gain some experience and score goals — now he is a world-class player.”

£35m for Ronaldo?

In other United news, Real apparently want Ronaldo for £35m. Carlos Queiroz says the club is planning to start negotiations on a new contract with Ronaldo (rumoured to be offeres £100k a week). His current deal runs out in 2010. He said: “It is natural that the media talk about Cristiano Ronaldo with Real Madrid.” “He is a great player and Madrid are a great club, but it is just speculation. They are fantasies.”

Spy on United

Also in The Mirror today apparently a spy plane flew over the United training camp and filmed secret tactics. Not sure what they could have seen if they flew over twice, only 30 seconds at a time.

My car alarm has been going off recently all on its own Took it to the garage yesterday and got it fixed. Basically the backup siren battery wasn’t charging so it kept going off. It didnt cost that much the new siren BUT the labour to fit it (and also fix a couple other things) was a fair bit Oh well.

Spiderman 3 is out this summer and looks like being a brilliant movie. As well as the official site you can read the official blog to find out whats happening behind the scenes including some videos.