Sept 8 2008 10 things to do before I die

• Posted by Alastair Machray at 8:00 PM | add or read comments (3)

I've been thinking about this for some time. On available stats, given that I've had open heart surgery, I have about 10 years left....(I'm rather hoping to push that bit, as you can imagine!)

I've left out the ones involving Catherine Zeta Jones on the grounds that this a family blog and she might not play ball anyway. And I've left out one or two extraordinarily private ones.

1. See my children Harry and Morgan graduate
2. Watch a Test match abroad
3. Go to India
4. Go to Japan
5. See the Echo win UKPG regional newspaper of the year
6. See Newcastle United win a trophy (more chance of shagging Catherine Zeta)
7. Play golf off a single figure handicap
8. Get back to 11 stones
9.Play golf at every Open Championship venue in Britain
10. Celebrate my silver wedding with Lynne. (Only four years to go...)

I deliberately stayed off 'see world peace or a cure for cancer' as I could not bring any influence to bear).

What are yours? Or how pathetic are mine? Comments please.

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• Sept 8 2008 10 things to do before I die

Sept 2 2008, Transfer window, Gusto, Richard Williams

• Posted by Alastair Machray at 8:06 AM | add or read comments (1)

UP late watching the developments as the transfer window began to close. Don't like the window as I like the buzz of transfer gossip to go on all year round. However, there's no doubting the excitement the last day creates.
The Manchester City takeover emerged as the big story, bringing with it their shock capture of Robinho from under the noses of Chelsea.
The big worriers should be Liverpool and Arsenal. They gear their activity and investment around the near-certainty that they will finish in the top four and be guaranteed Champions League football next season.
City's 'arrival' threatens that sinecure. Somone will end this season as a big-time loser.

HAD lunch at Gusto at the Albert Dock to mark 40 years service by our picture editor Richard Williams. Great food and great service, as well as a great atmosphere. The place is going from strength to strength.

Walked in to the reception desk accompanied by astoundingly glamorous trio of female journalists Andrea Williams, Stacey Roberts, and Jill Tunstall.

'You should have a table for Machray?' I asked.

'We're his bitches,' explained Jill to the Maitre D. Sadly, he laughed.

Hard to sum up Richard's 40 years at a lunch or in a blog. Suffice to say he is one of the most professional, tenacious, courteous journalists with whom I've ever had the pleasure to work.

His long-serving colleague, Eddie Barford, tells a story about the Toxteth Riots when Richard was the only photographer brave enough to take pics of looters raiding an off-licence at the height of the violence. It didn't surprise me.

• Tags:
• Gusto
• Richard Williams
• Transfer window

Sept 1, knife crime, chiefs challenge

• Posted by Alastair Machray at 8:04 AM | add or read comments (0)

In to work this morning, disturbed, depressed by a stabbing death in Liverpool. Why on earth do so many teenagers grab a knife as means to resolve a dispute?
How can you explain to them that years of jailtime is the likely reward for a moment of madness or gratuitous violence?
Difficult to resolve. No point having 'knife amnesties' or 'stop and searches'. Lethal weapons inhabit every kitchen drawer.
What's the solution?

Nice Saturday morning running the Chiefs' Challenge at The World Firefighter Games. Five miles along the prom from Otterspool to the Echo Arena, in warm sunshine and good company.
Did it in a personal best time..which suggests to me it wasn't quite five miles!
The big thing was that I raised £1500 for Liverpool Unites towards building the Rhys Jones Community Centre in Croxteth Park.
A huge thank you to everyone who sponsored me.

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• chiefs challenge
• Liverpool knife crime

Aug 28 2008. Mathew St. Jetlag

• Posted by Alastair Machray at 10:46 AM | add or read comments (0)

Enjoyed the Mathew St Festival. Just managed a few hours and sure, it isn't the most wheelchair-friendly event on earth, but even Lynne thought it was fun.
Clearly, a lot of people had a lot to drink, but I didn't see a lot of people visibly drunk. Bad behaviour seemed to be at a minimum, something backed up by low police arrest figures.
The event was good-natured, which makes me think hard about alcohol bans at public evets and whether they are really necessary. Would appreciate the views of others who may have had a different take on the Festival.
Felt that Right Said Fred and Chas and Dave were a bit lightweight for headliners at a Festival of this scale. I appreciate the desire to get back to local bands and the sprit of a city-based event, but surely one huge name, better still a Liverpool huge name, would have added some magic without damaging the ethos.
Struggling with jetlag after my holiday. Lying awake or dozing fitfully every night. Knackered at work. Anyone got any suggestions?

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• Chas and Dave
• Mathew St
• Right Said Fred

Liverpool Echo Adelphi Musical july 3 2008

• Posted by Alastair Machray at 8:03 AM | add or read comments (4)

Liverpool Echo Adelphi Musical july 3 2008

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echo editor June 30 2008, Britten, Hardman St

• Posted by Alastair Machray at 9:57 AM | add or read comments (0)

echo editor June 30 2008, Britten, Hardman St

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