Remember what it was like to be a teenager?

For some of you it may not be that long ago, for others – well you might have teenagers yourself. If you’re in the latter group like me, that time of your life might only be remembered vicariously through your kids.

Myself? I’ve managed to block out most of the uncomfortable memories and replace them with common pubescent stereotypes. What’s left has been revised with corrective hindsight and the type of wisdom only indicated by grey hair sprouting from my temples.

Here’s the gist: attraction to the opposite sex, mood swings, general angst, a lot of food, a lot of sleep, beer, puberty, something about High School, and attraction to the opposite sex – not necessarily in that order.… More SMRTETA

When I was in elementary school we used to get herded into the gym on occasion to be taught how to dance. It would typically be without any type of advanced warning (as anti-dance fever would strike us all on a predetermined dance day) and did not involve any type of dances recognizable from the previous half century. There was no “Lock & Pop,” “Moonwalking,” or even “Mr. Roboto.”

Mercifully, touching was completely minimized with your dance partner. There is nothing quite as awkward as being 10 years old and having to grip a member of the opposite sex for an hour while you learn to waltz.… More SMRTETA

What would you do to win?

Anything within the rules of the game? Anything within the rules of society? What about just plain anything?

What would be right and what would be wrong? Are there morals in football and in particular, at Arsenal?

There is a legal concept used in Criminal Law in the United States called – Moral Turpitude. It’s a strange term, one in which we can only guess at its inherent meaning by the use of the word “moral.” In fact, digging around on the inter-web will cough up West Encyclopedia of American Law’s description of; “conduct that is considered contrary to community standards of justice, honesty or good morals.”

Good morals may seem nebulous at first glimpse, but a bit of elbow grease and spit will uncover that in fact, there are several sets of reasonable moral rules to be found if one dares to search.… More SMRTETA

I have a five year old son with a vivid imagination.  It’s my own fault of course.  I’ve read him all manner of books, let him watch movies about dragons and spacemen and openly encouraged his dinosaur-like tendencies.  He simply lives in an imaginary world and quite frankly, I love it.

There are some drawbacks however.  School can be a particular challenge and when it comes to watching sports with his Dad, well this is nearly impossible.  There is almost no way a five year old who believes he is a T-Rex can sit still for three minutes, let alone watch ninety minutes of Arsenal versus Stoke at 7 am in the morning – note that this is his prime energy time.… More SMRTETA

Saturday, April 12th, 2014.

For most, this day will mean nothing; another Saturday to do yard work, cruise down to the strip mall for malt liquor, take the kids to football practice, or go dancing with friends.

For Gooners, April 12th 2014 should be remembered and respected because for 19 minutes on that day, the Four Riders of the WOBpocalypse were nigh. For 19 minutes it looked like one of the biggest meltdowns in Social Media history was afoot and as a Gooner — I was terrified.

On April 12th, Arsenal found themselves in an FA Cup semi-final with Wigan Athletic. … More SMRTETA