A prologue to the Prologue (wherein the author laments the loss of his previous concept and explains the new one):

This blog began as a way for me to chronicle my interest and analysis of shitty entertainment. I love shitty entertainment. It makes me smile. But alas, it proved too hearty an endeavor in a stretch I best describe as “doldrumtastic”, a stretch where getting laid just wasn’t enough, a stretch when I didn’t much feel like analysis of any medium. It was a dark time for your humble narrator, but I’ve bounced back and retooled. I miss having a place to upchuck and since I find blogging for the sake of blogging boring (and since I’ve been revisiting Sufjan), I’d prefer to couch my thought-vomit in a concept of sorts.

The cover.

My decision to post my childhood works, chapter by ridiculous chapter (with commentary), is two-fold:

1) I’d like to chronicle this shit. My hard copies are fading a slow fade.

2) I’m in the mood for self-analysis. And where better to begin than my first major work?

"The text on some pages are bad. So please don't kill me. He-he. Now this copy won't be perfect but when I review it top to bottom it will be better."

The first major work in question is DEATH IN THE MAKING.

Title page.

Lightning!

The following is a piece I wrote two years ago about it. Seems like a good place to begin:

I was 10 or 11,

whatever sixth grade is,

and this was my life.

My novel

I wrote this novel then, in sloppy pencil.

My first real major work: Death in the Making.

I know, horrible title.

My process began with my action figures.

I rounded up every one I had:

a plastic party of WWF wrestlers,

movie figures from Aliens, Jurassic Park, and Star Trek,

humans from the Ninja Turtles cartoons.

My characters came from grabbing one I liked and building a personality out of it.

Kasey Jones, the hockey mask wearing martial artist from the Ninja Turtles became Kasey the sound engineer with his scraggly black hair, jeans, and tank tops.

WWF’s Big Boss Man became my secret villain, Cooper Michaels,

a security officer with a crew cut and police uniform.

The big, blue, slimy alien from the Alien movies even took the role of the main monster.

I spent hours after school, creating scenes,

developing relationships,

and staging deaths over and over and over.

It brought me such joy then,

and I’d sometimes ask my weary mother to watch while I acted out scene after scene,

taking on 10 different voices, 10 different characters with personalities I’d so painstakingly developed. 

Once I could no longer play, I wrote.

And for three solid months, I wrote every day after school,

kneeling on the blue carpet,

writing on the coffee table in front of the TV.

Every time I grabbed a new sheet of notebook paper

and wrote a new, higher, page number in the top right corner,

I felt like I had climbed another mountain.

I even drew little flashy lines around page 100,

which was, at that time, the greatest accomplishment of my life.

There was no revision.

I found a way to make everything I’d written work in the grand narrative.

And a grand endeavor it certainly was.

The book boasts about 20 main characters, and probably 20 more minor ones.

There’s backstabbing, murder, love, longing, memory, loss, grief, treachery, you name it.

And I was 11.

In complete and total love.

 Now I remember, so many years later,

coming home drunk and high,

alone

blurry-eyed.

And I grabbed this book.

I began to read.

And I cried.

Because at that moment I realized it was the greatest thing I’d ever written.

A boy who knew nothing about craft,

who knew nothing about pain,

about disappointment, or depression.

A work not written to be published, or produced,

but it was fun.

I was playing. 

And I was in love.

“Jackson dove off the ledge of the huge mountain into the crashing waterfall feeling pretty nauseous. He has never been that nervous in his entire life. Will I live or die? Will I live or die? The question kept going through his mind. Suddenly he felt a burst of cold cover his body. I’m in the waterfall. Falling. Cutting through water like a bullet. As he damped in water he opened his eyes. It was a blur of wondrous colors. From light blue to fluorescent green. It was beautiful! Suddenly Jackson started to feel loose and happy. He spread his arms out far and put his legs together. Then he twirled and twirled in a circle while falling. He didn’t know why he was doing that. He just felt it.” 

In retrospect, I realize this 11-year old was describing his craft. 

Now I’ve always believed that change is a cosmetic illusion.

At our cores, we never change.

We are who we are who we are who we are. 

And so the same desire exists between this boy and myself.

But what he seemed to grasp is what I now strive for. 

“Suddenly Jackson started to feel loose and happy. He spread his arms out far and put his legs together. Then he twirled and twirled in a circle while falling. He didn’t know why he was doing that. He just felt it.”

 Abandon.

Writing was abandon.

And the elation I find now as I create,

An elation which shoots sparks, saves my soul,

It seems to pale in comparison to that 11-year old boy

and his piddly handwritten novel.

Prologue. Probably too faded to make out.

 

So we begin:

Silas Burton wandered helplessly through the huge forest of the unfinished amusement park. It was nighttime and everyone was gone. Something scurried across his feet. He screamed and fell. He wiped off the dirt on his khaki shirt he noticed a footprint. “Oh great! Someone’s around. I gotta follow the…Oh my god. Oh man.” He stared at the footprint. Only it wasn’t a footprint. It had three toes and a strange marking by the hoof. Then he realized the marking was the marking of the company he’s in. And the markings are on the bottom hoof  of each main attraction monster. But those were locked in the storage area. And no one was in the control room. “Oh my god I gotta get outta here!” He started running until he came to the mountain. He stared at the beatiful scenery. A 500 km drop. Deadly. Well there’s the ladder better go down it,” he said. He heard a rustling sound in the bushes. “Aaah!” he screamed. He felt something stab him in the shoulder. He grabbed his shoulder and pulled out a claw. He pulled out a packet of band-aids. He took one out and put it over the bloody wound. He put the band-aids back in his pocket and headed for the ladder. Suddenly something wacked him in the back and he fell and grabbed the side of the mountain and hung. He saw a figure of some sort but was too dark to see. He felt a sharp pain in his hand he went to grab for it and suddenly remembered he was hanging. He let out a bloodcurdling scene and toppled into darkness.

What I remember: Jurassic Park. I saw the movie some rainy afternoon. I bought the book at a SEARS. I read the book in Science class. I didn’t get half of it. I liked the bloody parts. I don’t remember beginning, although I vaguely recall writing this section long before I wrote the rest. The off-color appearance of the pages, coupled with the especially faded script, contribute to this theory.

I recall reading it to Mike Ethier’s mother. I recall her being struck by my use of “khaki”. Rightly so. I barely knew what khaki was. All I knew was that Michael Critchton’s characters wore it. Which is really where much of this began. When I met Vernell Lillie she told me how August Wilson’s earliest writings were simply imitations of writers he admired. John Guare wrote about how he’d type out the first three acts of Chekhov plays and then write the fourth act himself.

Art often begins with mimicry. Many writers never grow past that stage. 

Critchton was my Chekhov. Death in the Making is Jurassic Park. There’s even a Velociraptor.  Anne Rice took over eventually. But we’ll get there later.

Beautiful:  Silas Burton wandered helplessly through the huge forest of the unfinished amusement park.

Embarrassing: Then he realized the marking was the marking of the company he’s in.

And so, some brief thoughts on a brief intro. Chapter 2: The Meeting coming soon. Prepare for shit to get intense.

MC300-MS5 York-Sunbury Historical Society Collection
Description (page 106)

If you are interested in any of these files then please contact the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick.

“Charles Sidney Burpee was born in Sheffield, Sunbury County, New Brunswick, on June 18, 1817, the son of Jeremiah Burpee and Elizabeth Stickney.  He was educated at the common school in Sheffield, and eventually became a farmer.  He was married twice: first to Mary Perley and then to Charlotte H. Perley.

He unsuccessfully contested the Sunbury County seat for the House of Assembly in 1854.  In 1867, he was elected to the House of Commons as a member of the Liberal Party for Sunbury County. He was re-elected in 1872, 1874, 1878, and 1882.  At the General Election of 1887, he was defeated and retired from active politics.  In 1900, Burpe was made a member of the Senate of Canada, and sat until his resignation to become Commissioner to the Paris Exposition.  Burpee died November 29, 1909, at Sheffield.  He was survived by two sons.

The Burpee Papers, which date from 1814 to 1949, are largely made up of Charles Burpee’s correspondence in which political discussions play a major role.  A great deal of information on Sunbury County matters and personalities can also be found in the letters.  Material, which is not correspondence, is found at the end of the collection, and includes legal papers, notes for speeches, and general information on the Burpee family.  The series measures 13 centimeters.”

1 Letter from Mary Ann Rideout to her Uncle [?] on familial matters; [no place], October 28, 182[7].

2 Letter from T.W. Anglin to Charles Burpee discussing temperance and prohibition in their political ramifications; Saint John, February 18, 1856.

3 Letter from W.E. Perley to Charles Burpee commenting on the close election in his parish mentioning Mr. Pennington (free-will Baptist Minister), Glazier, Tapley, John Farris, Lunt, Plummer, James Hamilton, and the Orangemen; Blissville, June 16, 1861.

4 Letter from Charles Perley to Charles Burpee discussing the prospects of union mentioning Tupper and Charles Young; Woodstock, April 3, 1862.

5 Letter from R. Hoben to C. Burpee discussing the activities of the “Perley Party” mentioning Duncan Glazier, and others; Burton, March 21, 1868.

6 Letter from Moses H. Cobourne to Charles Burpee mentioning several political matters and some items of news from New Brunswick; Little River, March 23, 1868.

7 Letter from William Mowat to Charles Burpee asking about the Tariff bill and that a post office be established at the North Forks of Salmon Creek; Northfield, March 25, 1868.

8 Letter from John Glazier to Charles Burpee on his departure for Ottawa reflecting on Hoben and D. Morrow in a future election; Saint John, March 25, 1868.

9 Letter from R. L. Babbitt to Charles Burpee discussing the situation in the party caused by John Glazier’s appointment to the Senate. He mentions a possible party-split over who should be offered for election. He also comments on the Civil Service Act and the debate over the coming railway; Gagetown, April 1, 1868.

10 Letter from R. Hoben to Charles Burpee discussing Glazier’s appointment, and the railroad route in New Brunswick; Burton, April 2, 1868.

11 Letter from R. Hoben to Charles Burpee discussing Glazier’s position, A. Harrison’s stand, and the railroad route; Burton, April 7, 1868.

12 Letter from George Hoben to Charles Burpee asking for a position on the railroad survey or as a commissioner; April 13, 1868.

13 Letter from R.L. Babbitt to Charles Burpee expressing his views on the role of the Dominion Government with respect to pre-Confederation matters, the Repeal Movement, the railroad route, and the reaction to D’Arcy McGee’s death; April 13, 1868.

14 Letter from Amos Stickney to his cousin, Charles Burpee, inviting him to visit; Port Ryerse, P.Q., April 13, 1868.

15 Letter from R. Hoben to Charles Burpee discussing the Militia Law, the reaction to McGee’s death, the opinion of a Fenian, and some mundane matters; Burton, April 14, 1868.

16 Letter from C.B. Barker to Charles Burpee giving news from home, and discussing McGee’s death and the Fenians; Sheffield, April 20, 1868.

17 Letter from R.L. Babbitt to Charles Burpee discussing reasonable expenditures, the effect the railroad route has on public opinion of the Union, Glazier’s procrastination, and the militia Bill; Gagetown, April 23, 1868.

18 Letter from Nathaniel Hubbard to Charles Burpee commenting on Tilley’s unpopularity, McGee’s death, the railroad route, and the affinity of himself with Charles Burpee and R. Hoben; Burton, April 24, 1868.

19 Letter from R. Hoben to Charles Burpee sending news from home and discussing Glazier and the railroad route; Burton, April 24, 1868.

20 Letter from J. & J. Burpee Co. to Charles Burpee commenting on the free tariff in pig iron; Saint John, April 29, 1868.

21 Letter from R.L. Babbitt to Charles Burpee commenting on the constitutionality of some of the Dominion Governments actions; Gagetown, May 2, 1868.

22 Letter from Francis Collins to Charles Burpee commenting on the free tariff on pig iron; Saint John, May 3, 1868.

23 Letter from R. Hoben to Charles Burpee asking for the position of fishery warden mentioning Glazier, Perley, George Estabrooks; and commenting on the road money for Sheffield mentioning Moses Cobourne, John Townsend, Charles Upton and Samuel Ferguson; and on their candidate in the next election, mentioning George Morrow, John Glazier and others; [Burton], May 4, 1868.

24 Note from P. Mitchell to Charles Burpee suggesting Burpee vote with the Resolution for Fortification; [House of] Commons, May 7, 1868.

25 Letter from John Glazier to Charles Burpee telling him that Perley has been offered the Surveyor-General’s Office and commenting on the political ramifications of the fact mentioning Arch. Harrison and the next election; Lincoln, February 12, 1869.

26 Letter from Charles Burpee to Sidney and Tommy Burpee, his sons on familial matters; Ottawa, May 4, 1869.

27 Letter from Charles Burpee to his sons discussing familial matters; Ottawa, May 11, 1869.

28 Letter from Charles Burpee to his sons discussing familial matters; Ottawa, May 18, 1869.

29 Letter from Charles Burpee to his sons on familial matters and mentioning working long hours; Ottawa, May 29, 1869.

30 Letter from J.C. Burpee to Charles Burpee asking for mail service extension to “my place”; Chipman, November 28, 1870.

31 Letter from Charles Burpee to Tommy, his son, on familial matters; Ottawa, April 2, 1871.

32 Letter from Charles Burpee to Tommy, his son, on familial matters; Ottawa, April 22, 1872.

33 Letter from Charles Burpee to Sidney, his son, on familial matters; Ottawa, April 24, 1872.

34 Letter from E.R. Burpee to his uncle, Charles Burpee, questioning Charles Burpee’s lack of support for Tilley and his government; Fredericton, March 6, 1873.

35 Letter from R. Hoben to Charles Burpee discussing the political climate in New Brunswick and his philosophy of individual responsibility within the political system; Burton, May 12, 1873.

36 Letter from M.C. Cameron to Charles Burpee discussing the Liberal Party’s victory in the election (mentioning Cartwright, Sir John A. MacDonald, Scott and others); and the possible political future of the Party; Gooluch, Ont., December 1, 1873.

37 Letter from M.C. Cameron to Charles Burpee commenting on the overwhelming defeat of the Tories with some candid mention of those who were defeated or elected including Blake, McAdam, Palmer, Domville, and Jim McDonald; Gooluch, Ont., February 10, 1874.

38 Letter from R. Hoben to Charles Burpee discussing the impact of the MacKenzie victory on New Brunswick and matters of local politics; Burton, April 6, 1874.

39 Letter from A.H. Gilmour, Jr. to Charles Burpee mentioning McAdam’s intention to carry on the law suit, the crusade of the Tilley Party against the McKenzie Government, the vote on the Riel Question, and the proposed treaty in trade; St. George, July 29, 1874.

40 Letter from M.C. Cameron to Charles Burpee discussing his own political situation, and the trade treaty; Gooluch, August 20, 1874.

41 Letter from Henry F. Perley to Charles Burpee enclosing a list of the tenders [missing] and discussing the cost of the dam at Oromocto; Saint John, November 3, 1877.

42 Letter from D.D. Glazier & Sons to Charles Burpee asking him to forward to the proper department their expenses incurred in clearing an obstruction from the Oromocto river; Fredericton, February 14, 1878.

43 Note from Henry F. Perley, Department of Public Works, to Charles Burpee regarding Glazier & Sons note [see 5/42]; Ottawa; February 20, 1878.

44 Letter from C.L.B. Miles to Charles Burpee seeking Burpee’s aid in getting a position as engineer on “some good road”; Maugerville, February 22, 1878.

45 Letter from C.B. Lockhard to Charles Burpee asking for a $500 loan; Blissville, February 23, 1878.

46 Letter from Samuel Nevers to Charles Burpee asking to have the lighthouse position occasioned by the death of James K. Hazen; Burton, February 16, 1878.

47 Letter from E.R. Burpee to his uncle, Charles Burpee, discussing people and politics at home mentioning John Boyd, Armstrong, Kurr, Hepworth, Gibson, O’Leary, Howard McLeod, Tilley, and others; Fredericton, February 28, 1878.

48 Letter from C.B. Harrison to his uncle, Charles Burpee, discussing the applications for the lighthouse and the prospects for the next election mentioning Gerhardus K. Clowes, Brennan, McLean, Currie, Perley, Covert, and Sterling; Maugerville, March 1, 1878.

49 Letter from D.S. Duplisea, Post-Master at Tracey Station, to Charles Burpee asking him to help settle a postal matter relating to commission on stamps; Tracey Station, March 1, 1878.

50 Letter from A.S. Randall to Charles Burpee bearing news from home mentioning William Porter and Thomas P. Taylor and asking Burpee to get him an increase for keeping the post office; Lakeville Corner, March 4, 1878.

51 Letter from Hanford Brown to Charles Burpee sending a good deal of political news from home mentioning the Perley Party, Dell Perley, Covert, William Deveber, Hamilton, Calvin Tapley, Launchlan McLean, G.S. Brown, Charles Clowes, Captain Alexander, Brennan, Terry McAlroy, and others; Maugerville, March 4, 1878.

53 Letter from Hanford Brown to Charles Burpee concentrating on the political alignments in the county, mentioning Thomas Sterling, George Brown, the Dykemans, Dell Perley, Mrs. Hazen, and others; Maugerville, March 5, 1878.

54 Letter from A.S. Rileigh giving details on the political alignments in the County mentioning Covert, W.D. Perley, John E. Smith, E.D. Lockhart, J.W. Hoyt, and Arthur Graham; Hoyt Station, March 7, 1878.

55 Letter from E.R. Burpee to his uncle, Charles Burpee, giving details on the political situation at home mentioning King, William Rannie, Henderson, Rafter, Smith, Domville, and others; St. John, March 15, 1878.

56 Letter from George Hoben to Charles Burpee offering his assessment of the political situation in the County and their chances in the upcoming election mentioning William Rutledge, W.D. Perley, Henry Estabrooks, and others; Burton, March 15, 1878.

57 Letter from C.H. Kingston to Charles Burpee regarding the political climate mentioning John Alexander, Thomas Alexander Sr., D.T. Hartt, J.R. Seely, and others; March 16, 1878.

58 Letter from C. Berton Lockhart to Charles Burpee concerning a loan with J.W. Hoyt as the endorser, to open a business in Hoyt Station; Blissville, March 16, 1878.

59 Letter from Moses Burpee to his uncle, Charles Burpee, regarding his prospects of employment and an invention he would like to patent; Carleton, March 24, 1878.

60 Letter from M.H. Cobourne to Charles Burpee concerning the cutting of the public lot; Little River, March 28, 1878.

61 Letter from E.R. Burpee to his uncle, Charles Burpee, concerning political activities at home mentioning Gibson, Pickard, Perley, Wark, Turnbull, Tupper, Fraser and others; Fredericton, April 4, 1878.

62 Letter from George Burpee to his uncle, Charles Burpee, relating political news from home mentioning Elder, Domville, Isaac Burpee, and discussing business matters; Saint John, April 4, 1878.

63 Letter from John C. Tapley to Charles Burpee commenting on injustice in Montreal and asking for a cash advance and an appointment; Little River, April 8, 1878.

64 Letter from J.W. Travis to Charles Burpee on behalf of Mr. Turney and himself discussing local politics, the temperance legislation, and advising Burpee concerning some dissatisfaction in his area; Swan Creek, April 9, 1878.

65 Letter from Thomas Wright to Charles Burpee giving political news from home mentioning Dell Perley, Dr. Wiggins and Mr. Johnson; Salmon Creek, April 13, 1878.

66 Letter from E.R. Burpee to Charles Burpee discussing the political situation facing his uncle in the upcoming election; Saint John, April 15, 1878.

67 Letter from J. James Fraser to Charles Burpee discussing federal political matters mentioning Pickard, Crawford, Stephenson, Gilmour and Smith; Fredericton, April 20, 1878.

68 Letter from D. Morrow to Charles Burpee concerning the Isle of Haute lighthouse account mentioning Calvin Cogswell, Sir A.J. Smith and Mr. Verner; Steamer “May Queen”, August 10, 1878.

69 Letter from Charles Burpee to Sidney, his son, discussing both familial and political matters; February 28, 1879.

70 Letter from Hedley to C. Sidney Burpee discussing school-mates and related gossip, mentioning Dr. Jack; U.N.B., Fredericton, January 23, 1880.

71 Letter from Hedley V.B.B. to Sidney Burpee which mentions mundane college matters and comments on the House of Assembly and its incumbents; U.N.B., Fredericton, February 13, 1881.

72 Letter from Hedley to Sidney Burpee discussing social and political matters mentioning Mr. Covert’s death, Jarvis S. Verner, Sterling, Charles Harrison, and others; U.N.B., Fredericton, March 6, 1881.

73 Letter from Rosella —–, a child, to Grandma —– relating familial news; Upper Sheffield, March 12, 1882.

74 Letter from David Burpee to his mother, Mrs. P.E. Burpee, Bangor, relating domestic and familial news; Upper Sheffield, March 30, 1883.

75 Letter from David Burpee to his mother, Mrs. P.E. Burpee, Bangor, bearing news from home mentioning John Pickard’s death, cousin Hannah, Willie and Maggie Alexander, and several family members; Upper Sheffield, December 23, 1883.

76 Letter from Charles Burpee to Sidney, his son, discussing railroad matters in New Brunswick; Ottawa, March 27, 1884.

77 Letter from George Scott to George A. Perley concerning a land sale from Charles Burpee; Fredericton Junction, May 7, 1884.

78 Letter from Isaac Burpee to his uncle, Charles Burpee, discussing the Central Railway mentioning Whitehead, Inches, Gibson, and others; Saint John, July 23, 1884.

79 Letter from Isaac Burpee to his uncle, Charles Burpee, discussing the Central Railway; Saint John, July 25, 1884.

80 Letter from Charles W. Weldon to Charles Burpee discussing business and political matters mentioning Backer, Judge King, Fred Fisher, Mitchell, C.L. Wetmore, and others; Fredericton, October 25, 1884.

81 Letter from John Quinton, grandson of Hugh Quinton, to [Charles Burpee] describing the early settlement of Maugerville, and the “renegade Allan”, and asking Burpee’s moral & literary backing to produce “Pioneer Days of New Brunswick, 1762-1783…”; Saint John, December 9, 1884.

82 Letter from William N. Allen to Thomas P. Burpee concerning a parcel of land; Sheffield, January 22, 1885.

83 Letter from Charles Burpee to Mr. Wilson concerning several memoranda on a mortgage; Sheffield, March 23, 1888.

84 Last page of letter from Attorney-General Andrew Blair to ———– regarding Sunbury County politics mentioning Farris, Taylor, and Morrow; [?] c. 1890.

85 Letter from L.H. Davies to Charles Burpee discussing the political situation of King; February 22, 1895.

86 Letter from H.R. Emmerson to Charles Burpee regarding the placement of W. Harrison; Dorchester, March 26, 1895.

87 Letter from M.H. Davies to Charles Burpee on the effects of the Manitoba School Question; Ottawa, July 4, 1895.

88 Letter from M.H. Davies to Charles Burpee discussing New Brunswick’s representation in the Laurier Government mentioning Andrew Blair, George King and Senator McClellan; Ottawa, July 16, 1896.

89 Letter from G.A. King to Charles Burpee discussing several political matters of the day mentioning Blair, Babbitt, Laurier, and Farris; Ottawa, March 19, 1897.

90 Letter from Andrew Blair to Charles Burpee discussing the possible appointment of a Fishery Inspector mentioning “Miles”, and John Anderson; Ottawa, July 2, 1897.

91 Letter of thanks from H.R. Emmerson to Charles Burpee; Fredericton, November 3, 1897.

92 Letter from Andrew Blair to Charles Burpee regarding the lighthouse; Ottawa, April 19, 1898.

93 Letter from Andrew Blair to Charles Burpee regarding the matter of the lighthouse keeper in its political perspective; Ottawa, March 27, 1899.

94 Letter from L.W. Davies to Charles Burpee giving his support to Burpee’s claims to the Senate vacancy; Charlottetown, September 1, 1899.

95 Letter from L.P. Farris to Charles Burpee agreeing with the suggestion of Burpee’s appointment to the Senate; Fredericton, November 9, 1899.

96 Letter from W.T. Whitehead to Charles Burpee stating his support of Burpee’s appointment to the Senate; Fredericton, November 10, 1899.

97 Letter from H.R. Emmerson to Charles Burpee discussing the hopeful prospects of Burpee being appointed to the Senate; Fredericton, November 11, 1899.

98 Letter from G.A. King to Charles Burpee reporting his conversations with Davies and Blair; Chipman, December 10, 1899.

99 Letter from Andrew Blair to Charles Burpee regarding Burpee’s appointment to the Senate; Ottawa, January 6, 1900.

100 Letter from G.A. King to Charles Burpee concerning conditions to Burpee’s appointment to the Senate mentioning Gilmour as the other candidate for the seat; Chipman, January 11, 1900.

111 Letter of congratulations from John McQuickin (?) to Charles Burpee; Saint John, February 2, 1900.

112 Letter from Robert P. Allen to Charles Burpee congratulating Burpee and commenting upon his appointment to the Senate; Fredericton, February 3, 1900.

113 Letter of congratulations from D. Morrow to Charles Burpee, which also discusses a postal matter; Oromocto, February 9, 1900.

114 Letter from Thomas Harrison to Charles Burpee concerning the re-issuance of a grant to the University of New Brunswick; Fredericton, February 12, 1900.

115 Letter from W.H. Steeves to Charles Burpee congratulating him on his appointment to the Senate, and requesting the position of enumerator in the upcoming census; Waasis, March 1, 1900.

116 Letter from Daniel E. Smith to Charles Burpee congratulating him on his appointment and requesting the position of enumerator in the up-coming census; Hoyt Station, March 9, 1900.

117 Letter from W.W. Hubbard to Charles Burpee regarding weights and measures legislation and farmer representation in Ottawa; July 5, 1900.

118 Letter from Arthur Glazier to Charles Burpee thanking him for his kindness; Fredericton, July 6, 1900.

119 Letter from A.S. White to Charles Burpee thanking Burpee for his kindness on he occasion of his [White's] defeat; [no place], November 15, 1900.

120 Letter from A.S. White to Charles Burpee presenting his philosophy and use of patronage; Sussex, December 12, 1900.

121 Letter from Thomas A. Kelly to Charles Burpee regarding a mortgage; Blissville, March 6, 1901.

122 Letter from T.G. Kelly to Charles Burpee regarding a transfer of a mortgage; Blissville, March 22, 1901.

123 Letter from G.G. King to Charles Burpee regarding the buoy service; Ottawa, May 3, 1901.

124 Letter from E.R. Burpee to “Uncle——” regarding domestic matters; Bangor, September 17, 1901.

125 Letter from Agnes Burpee to her uncle, Charles Burpee, bearing sympathy on the death of his wife; Mount Pleasant, February 4, 1903.

126 Letter from Moses —– to his uncle, Charles Burpee, bearing regrets on the death of his wife; Houlton, February 6, 1903.

127 Letter from H.R. Emmerson to Charles Burpee regarding Stephen Appleby and the Liberals in Carleton County; Dorchester, October 31, 1903.

128 Letter from Stephen B. Appleby to Charles Burpee regarding the situation of the Liberal Party in Carleton mentioning the “Carvell gang”, Tweedie, Jones, and Blair; Woodstock, November 12, 1903.

129 Letter from “Glenn” to “Dear Squire” bearing familial news; Boiestown, July 21, 1909.

130 Letter from Premier J.D. Hazen to Charles Burpee accepting his resignation as Commissioner for the Parish of Sheffield Civil Court; Saint John, April 22, 1910.

131 Letter from “Uncle Tyler” to his niece concerning familial matters; Fredericton, June 17, 1915.

132 Letter from Lizzie B. George to Mr. ? Burpee answering a query on teachers at the Sheffield Grammar School; Upper Sackville, September 29, 1934.

133 Letter from ——- to “Family” concerning familial matters; Fredericton, March 25, 1949.

134 Twenty-six deeds; 1815-1897.

135 Sixteen mortgages; 1857-1887.

136 Four leases; 1853-1884.

137 Twenty memoranda of agreement; 1851-1887.

138 Four bonds; 1850-1885.

139 Two awards of arbitration; 1858 and 1910.

140 Thirty-nine summons issued by C. Sidney Burpee as Commissioner for the Parish of Sheffield Civil Court; 1903-1909.

141 Miscellaneous receipts and invoices; 1860-1910.

142 Notes used by Charles Burpee for speeches; n.d.

143 Nine certificates and commissions to Samuel Randal, Charles Burpee, George A. Inch (5), C. Sidney Burpee (2); 1869-1903.

144 Miscellaneous printed items relative to the Burpee Family; 1854-1944.

145 Notes on Senator Charles Burpee and his papers prepared by the York-Sunbury Historical Society.

146 A sketch of the Sheffield Academy, two lists prepared in 1919 of Academy men, and a notebook containing information in the academy.

147 Sheffield Parish Voters’ List; 1920.

148 Poem by Thomas Gilbert encouraging the voters to send Charles Burpee, not Ned Perley, to Ottawa in the next election; n.d.

149 Notebook used to record receipts, genealogical information, and religious notes; c. 1814-1870.

150 Minute book of the Total Abstinence Society of Sheffield, 1846-1850; (includes Society constitution, membership and activities).

151 Notes of Lorenzo Sabine on the Loyalists that landed in Saint John on May 18, 1783, aboard the Ship “Union”; 1847.

We ran this story a few weeks ago, but we wanted to run it again because the Huskies will be doing some special things at the CanadaWest semi-final against the Rams to support cancer research. Many of the players moms will be going through the stands collecting funds for the “Huskie Play for a Cure.” Let’s help these young student athletes out by making donations…

Last season, Huskie athletes began the initiative Play For A Cure in hopes of raising money for cancer research. The fundraising initiative continues with the newly added goal of raising awareness through education about cancer. Play For A Cure will once again begin with the football head shave. Money raised will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society.

“We started this last year because we felt it was an issue that everyone can relate to,’ said Tyler O’Gorman, who is now sporting a full head of hair. “Everyone has a family member or friend who has succumb to cancer. As a team, we want to raise awareness and money to help end cancer.”

About fifteen Huskies football players are participating this year, including O’Gorman, Scott McHenry, Cory Jones, Mitch Friesen, Ben Coakwell, Levi Steinhauer, Cody Halseth, Seamus Neary, Peter Thiel, Taylor Wallace, Lyndon Boychuk, Mark Klause, Braeden George, Jarod Koroll, Hubert Buydens, Ben Randall, Bryce McCall, Harley Irwin, Nnamdi Metu, Tony Michalchuk and football student trainer Kurt Kuhn.

The student-athletes involved in this campaign are all growing their hair to raise awareness. At the end of the season, they will have their hair shaved.

“I lost my grandfather to cancer and have an aunt with breast cancer,’ said Scott McHenry, whose helmet can barely fit over his hair now. “I have been personally affected by cancer and want to do what I can for a cause that affects so many people.”

God, I didn’t realise how much making a new video every day would take out of me. This has become a very, very long week. Anyway, time for part 4 in the Halloweek series, this time Gremlins 2: The New Batch.

Posted by Audiegrl

Randall Terry

AP/Ann Sanner—Anti-abortion activist Randall Terry is calling on people to burn effigies of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid this Halloween, as part of a “Burn in Hell” video contest to protest the health care legislation in Congress.

Terry, founder of Operation Rescue, said Tuesday that the contest serves as a political and spiritual statement that “gives people a chance to peacefully vent their rage.”

“If Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid force us to pay for child killing and they die unrepentant, they will burn in hell for this,” Terry said in a telephone interview.

A YouTube video of the contest instructions shows how to print a poster of Reid and Pelosi and construct a stand for it. The clip shows a person dousing the Democratic leaders’ images with flammable liquid. The next scene shows their picture going up in flames. People are then encouraged to take pictures, record and submit online the footage of their Oct. 31 protests.

“No, this is not a threat to their body,” an unidentified man says in the instructional video, “but it is a threat to their soul.”

Terry insisted the contest was not a threat to Reid or Pelosi. He contended that the Democrats’ plan to overhaul health care would allow federal funding of abortion.

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Operation Rescue Halloween: Nancy Pelosi Burn in Hell Contest

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid

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Last season, Huskie athletes began the initiative Play For A Cure in hopes of raising money for cancer research. The fundraising initiative continues with the newly added goal of raising awareness through education about cancer. Play For A Cure will once again begin with the football head shave. Money raised will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society.

“We started this last year because we felt it was an issue that everyone can relate to,’ said Tyler O’Gorman, who is now sporting a full head of hair. “Everyone has a family member or friend who has succumb to cancer. As a team, we want to raise awareness and money to help end cancer.”

About fifteen Huskies football players are participating this year, including O’Gorman, Scott McHenry, Cory Jones, Mitch Friesen, Ben Coakwell, Levi Steinhauer, Cody Halseth, Seamus Neary, Peter Thiel, Taylor Wallace, Lyndon Boychuk, Mark Klause, Braeden George, Jarod Koroll, Hubert Buydens, Ben Randall, Bryce McCall, Harley Irwin, Nnamdi Metu, Tony Michalchuk and football student trainer Kurt Kuhn.

The student-athletes involved in this campaign are all growing their hair to raise awareness. At the end of the season, they will have their hair shaved.

“I lost my grandfather to cancer and have an aunt with breast cancer,’ said Scott McHenry, whose helmet can barely fit over his hair now. “I have been personally affected by cancer and want to do what I can for a cause that affects so many people.”

You can make a donation online here.

Newton Calvert, Alastair George, William Valentine, James Leo, Wilfred Trevor, Sydney Randall, William Sidney, Basil.

Coral Rae, Martha Elizabeth, Thelma Evelyn Lucy, Delia Barbara, Dorothy Evelyn, Phillis Hilda, Francis Jane, Sadie Alia, Doris Kate, Ada Jane, Lily Maud, Alice Isabella, Rosemary Ann, Noeline Alice, Olive, Ida, Adah Elsie, Chantelle Roselene Margaret, Myrtle Alice, Viola.

Da, de Eufrosin care are blogul asta e vorba. Pitbuli, snauteri, dalmatieni, cocari, chiar si pechinezi. De rasa, corciti, chiar si maidanezi. Normal, oral, anal, de orice fel te poti gandi, Eufrosin le face pe toate? Aveti grija ca nam zis ca face, ca daca va uitati bine am un semnu intrebari la sfarsitu propozitiei in care zic ca face. Deci eu ma intreb, nu zic: cu pechinezi cand face sex anal ii place lui Eufrosin sa fie pasiv sau activ? Nare importanta, ca eu intreb nu zic, important e cum ii place la pechinez, ca Eufrosin face cum ii place la pechinez?

Si mai am si alte intrebari. Eufrosin, sex cu magari? Adica de ce nu, ca daca Eufrosin face cu caini? (intrebare, ai grija, nu zic ca face, ca nam nici o dovada) de ce nu si cu magari? Cu elefanti cum o face Eufrosin, cu coada sau cu trompa? La elefant, vati prins voi, nu? Intrebari, intrebari. Singuru animal cu care Eufrosin nu face sex e Eufrosin? Sau face sex si cu Eufrosin, si daca da in metoda pretenului lui Dante si Randall? Care, si asta nui o intrebare, a reusit. A fost singurul, asta pana cand Eufrosin sa gandit sasi arate dragostea de sine intrun mod mai inedit?

Toate astea sunt intrebari. Nu zic ca Eufrosin face toate aceste lucruri pe care Eufrosin le face? Sau le face? Nu stiu, mergeti si voi la el pe blog si intrebatil ca si eu lam intrebat da mie nu mia raspuns. Da nici na negat, deci eu zic ca le face? Cu caini, magari, elefanti, ce gaseste priponit la zoo. Ups, am uitat sa pun semnu de intrebare, da vati prins ca de fapt era intrebare, nu am zis eu ca face el asa ceva si oricum pot sal pun mai tarziu cand Eufrosin termina cu dalmatieni aia si se uita pe blog.

In an echo of the Ross / Brand debacle nearly a year ago, the Mail on Sunday has made a massive deal of something BBC Radio missed. (continues)

The garish headline is WHY DID BBC INVITE BNP ON RADIO 1 TO INSULT ASHLEY COLE, and they’re talking about a half-foolish, half-unlucky Radio 1 Newsbeat reporter called Debbie Randall (who “would love to work in Topshop”) who interviewed two senior members of the BNP but called them “two young guys [called] Mark and Joey”. Ouch. As one person put it in today’s Guardian, “it’s like doing an interview with Labour supporters ‘Gordon and Harriet’”.

At the time, it was attacked by Roy Greenslade for being “too soft”, a view that’s being echoed by several media outlets – and most loudly in a blazing piece by Peter Hain – today.

I can’t say I agree. Make up your own mind by listening here, but I think even if it’s not exactly strongly-worded, Randall does go right down the line of questioning with two people who (and by the end this becomes clear) are totally, totally barmy. Just listen! They (a) call her “my dear” with a sarcastic lilt, (b) claim sparrows and crows are the same species and (c) claim 30 years isn’t long enough to become “ethnically British”, despite both being well under 30 themselves! If they were given the Paxman reign of terror and not allowed to roam off on these silly offensive asides, there would have been the danger of the audience feeling sorry for them. No danger of that here!

So, I think the BBC was justified in defending the Newsbeat piece, back before they realised that ‘Mark and Joey’ were way up in the BNP elite. But here’s the point. While Mr Greenslade is pissed off, since he thinks the softly-softly approach was the “real story” and the papers stole his thunder, what stands out for me is the piss-poor journalistic practice. (continues)

Debbie Randall in the BBC studios

Listen carefully, and you’ll hear that Mark Collett – the BNP’s publicity offer – does actually introduce himself as, guess what? “Hi, I’m Mark Collett”. It’s a severe mumble, but there it is. It’s blindingly obvious: what R1 reporter Debbie Randall, as well as the Press Association (can you believe they didn’t pick up on it?) should have done was to go and check his name – and within minutes, she would have pulled up not only his senior standing, but his history as head of the Youth BNP and the star in a 2002 Channel 4 documentary Young, Nazi and Proud. How big an elephant in the room do you want?

We’re learning about interview techniques today. The rule is this: if they’re a big public figure, you can beat them with a hot poker round the head, face, legs, arse, whatever. But if they’re just Joe Bloggs (or ‘Joey’ in this case), you can’t come on too strong for fear of alienating your audience – even if your audience is racist.

So if Mark and Joey misled this poor R1 reporter, she was right to take a less Paxmanny line of questioning. But what she should have done, and could (so easily!) have done if she didn’t have her feet up, was to uncover that lie for herself and make it the story of the week.

The Internet is awesome isn’t it? Being a celebrity is equally awesome as well. But being a celebrity on the internet somehow doesn’t equal the sum of its parts. It’s like being a wonderful lover for your hand or a Michelin star chef for school dinners.

And yet you continually see these ‘internet celebrities’ throwing tantrums and screaming fits that would put Kanye West to shame. Surely the fact they aren’t being showered with millions of dollars and stalked by the paparazzi would mean they’d be a little bit more humble than that specimen.

I'mma let you finish... Oh who are we kidding!

What is it that makes them take criticism like a Vampire takes a holy water enema?

To illustrate my point, let me set a little scene for you…

A blind man takes to the street corner every day to busk for spare change. At first he just does it for the fresh air and the fun of performing in the company of his guide dog, and at first people are content to pass by on their way to more important things. But one day a young boy is walking by and he hears the music… and he is inspired. He has never heard music like that before and it touches his heart and soul in ways he has never experienced before.

He has to talk to him!

The boy goes up to the blind man and asks him how he learned to play that well. At first the man is surprised to be interrupted with such praise but he soon becomes accustomed to it, playing his music becomes a little more gratifying to him now he knows that someone is enjoying it. The boy tells his friends of the amazing music he has found and the blind man hears several voices telling him his music is great and he should totally get a record detail.

One day, the boys invite one of their friends over to hear the blind man play. The friend is mildly impressed, but asks if the man knows how to play any songs that aren’t covers of Led Zeppelin.

But before the boy can even finish his sentence, the blind man screams over him and tells him to piss off because he’s an ungrateful little fucktard and how can he dare question a genius such as he!

Genius and voice of our generation...

It’s deeply offensive and needlessly rude, but look at the blind mans perspective. He has played in anonymity for years and suddenly is told that he is brilliant by increasing numbers of people whose faces he has never seen. Completely unaware of the thousands of people who pass by every day and find him merely mediocre. They develop such a blinkered, rose-tinted view of the world where all they hear is how amazing they are that criticism becomes alien to them. This only gets worse when you’re in an environment where you can wipe someone’s opinion off of the face of the earth, effectively punching them in the face before they can get a word in edgewise.

Tim Buckely, the creator of ‘Ctrl-Alt-Delete’ is famous for instantly banning anyone who asks whether he should try another art style apart from the slack-jawed buffoonery he has shilled for the last five years.

How dare you question my Artistic skill!

And he’s also responsible for this gem:

Tim Buckley: In a single hour I get more email than you get in a week, so if you want to bitch and moan about me somewhere else, by all means, knock yourself out.

This is because we all measure our success by the size of our Inbox.

You think I was just being extreme when I said they were worse than Kanye West? Take a look at what he did, it’s exactly the same!

Tim Buckley, Randall Munroe, Jason Pargin, big names on the internet, and even bigger ego’s. Don’t agree with me? Go on their fora and disagree with them over something, anything, and watch their reaction.

As much as I would love to watch people like this tarred and feathered, you cannot blame them or their fans. It’s not their fault. I’ve seen this effect in action as it’s starting up.

A little known web comic by the name of ‘Daisy Owl’ started up about a year and a bit ago. The art is quirky and well drawn; the humour is whimsical and very well observed in a rather silly yet genuinely sweet way, and Ben Driscoll, the author, has been nothing but humble and kind towards everyone around him. I think it’s very good, but I’ve never felt the desire to go on to his forum thread where he discusses his work and wax lyrical about his talent. But there are hundreds who do, and they’re not idiots, they just love his work enough to want to post on the forum. All Driscoll see’s right now is a palimpsest of adoration, and when his work was criticised on another site, his fans tore into the poor fellow, claiming he hadn’t got the jokes or had no taste or was just plain stupid…

Can we please not?

There’s only so long you can go before you start to believe that that’s all there is. That the whole world thinks like your fans and anyone else is wrong.

As much as it hurts, a writer thrives on constructive criticism. If someone likes your work, that’s it. If someone doesn’t really like it, they can tell you how to improve it. But why listen to them when you can just ban their account and listen to your fans instead.

If any of the people I mentioned happen to see this… Spam my comments; complain about me on your forums all you want. It won’t make me any less right, quite the opposite in fact. Just try to remember that there is a whole world out there, and cherry picking the bits you like from the others may be more comfortable, but it won’t make you a better person.

If you’re a fan of anyone like this, be aware that to them, you’re just another voice in the dark, a faceless entity of no use to them but for stroking their throbbing, tumescent ego, and the more you tell them they are the greatest invention since porn the more likely they’ll start to believe it.

Today I will take a look at those who featured in the Carling Cup win and pick the 5 players whom I think have a chance to proceed to a first team place. Those 5 are Wojciech Szczescny, Francis Coquelin, Mark Randall, Sanchez Watt and Nacer Barazite. Two Englishmen, one Pole, one French and one Dutchman.

Wojciech Szczescny

Country : Poland

Position : Goalkeeper

Age : 19

Arsenal since : Aug 1^st 2007

Young goalkeeper who is perhaps most famous for breaking both hands at the same time. It was only revealed by Arsene Wenger this week that the incident occurred during gym training when the weight he was carrying drop on both of his hands. Wenger showed faith in him by picking him for the pre-season tour of Austria and Germany. Like others at Arsenal, he is an excellent shot stopper. However also like others, he is weak when dealing with high balls and crosses. Already emulated his father’s feat by getting called up by Poland in the recent round of international matches but did not feature. With 2 young keepers ahead of him in Fabianski and Mannone, he will have to show all his qualities when the chance presents itself to thrust his credentials to the fore.

Francis Coquelin

Country : France

Position : Defensive Midfielder

Age : 18

Arsenal since : Jul 22^nd 2008

Combative and tigerish midfielder who also possesses wonderful ball control. From the reserves and youth cup games that I’ve seen, he puts himself about and always try to release the ball quickly. He is not particularly tall but have scored a few headers. Probably the highest chance of the 5 to advance to the next stage considering this is the only position where Wenger do not have tonnes of option. After Song there is only Denilson but the Brazilian have always shown himself to be a more forward type of player. Coquelin will need to step up his stamina if he is to maintain his style of play in the Premiership where the pace of the game is quite taxing.

Mark Randall

Country : England

Position : Midfielder

Age : 20

Arsenal since : Jul 1^st 2006

The Englishman has been one of the mainstay of the reserves side for a couple of years now. Made his Arsenal debut in the Carling Cup and has pretty much stayed there ever since. Certainly for Wenger, Randall’s status is a puzzling one. Not quite good enough for the first team and certainly better than the reserves. His major blocking point are those ahead of him. There isin’t another club in the league that has the talents that Arsenal have in midfield. Randall is not a speedy player and do not seem to suite playing on the flanks. Started out as an attacking player but has evolved into a Michael Carrick type of player. Box to box with a wide range of passing. Packs a punch when taking freekicks as well. Toughest task of the 5 and only a dramatic twist of events can propel him to a first team place. Shame really.

Sanchez Watt

Country : England

Position : Winger / Striker

Age : 18

Arsenal since : Jul 31^st 2007

Sanchez Watt was the toast of the Youth team that captured the 08/09 championship. His goals in the final against Liverpool put him immediately in the thoughts of Arsene Wenger. Pacy and quick of the mark, Watt possesses a deadly and powerful left foot. Showed his tenacity in the Emirates Cup earlier in the season when he harried and won the ball of a player who tried to sherperd the ball out of play. He subsequently set up Arshavin for a goal. Looks to be the latest player that Wenger will keep a close eye on his progress. Still relatively young and has plenty of time to mature with his game and build his upper body strength against far stronger opponents in the Premiership.

Nacer Barazite

Country : Holland

Position : Winger / Striker

Age : 19

Arsenal since : Jul 31^st 2006

The Dutchman has scored for Arsenal in consecutive opening pre-season games against Barnet. He is typical of so many of the players that Wenger has brought through. From Thierry Henry to Robin Van Persie, Barazite can operate as a wide player as well as centrally in a striking position. Nifty footwork allows him to skip past players easily. Has grown great upper body strength lately and looks to have matured since his year long loan at Derby County last season. Reminds me a lot of a young Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Again, like Randall, Barazite will struggle to get into the first team considering the players at Wenger’s disposal. An exciting player who can be the difference in those tightly matched game. Magical moments are not unusual for this young fella. Has consistenly appeared for Holland in the age-group competitions as well. Certainly expected to do better than a certain ex Dutch youngster (Quincy Owusu Abeyie)

So that’s it. The 5 that I think would most likely make the breakthrough. There are others who played that night but in my opinion have already put themselves firmly in Wenger’s plan. We already know about Gibbs and Wilshere. How these players will go from here is up to their determination and for some, a certain bit of luck is needed.

I don’t always bother doing reports of matches I’ve been to. Indeed looking through the archives, I’ve only done one up until now but Arsenal and I had a bit of a lover’s tiff in the second half of last season and I think I only went to the Youth Cup Final post Christmas. Anyway a new season means new beginnings and after opening my account for the season with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Wigan on Saturday, I again ventured down to the Emirates last night to see the second string and youth players take on West Brom in the Carling Cup.

After a string of impressive performances against Premier League and Championship opposition in recent years, no one is surprised any more at how good some of the players coming through at Arsenal are. Indeed the tendency has been to hype them up like crazy when we should bear in mind they haven’t done anything, yet. However, much of the hype is justified and I think many of the players will actually make the grade at Arsenal unlike in the past where they’d end up being shipped off to a Championship team. All eyes were on Jack Wilshere last night but there were plenty of others to watch as well.

Arsenal started brightly with a couple of Senderos headers off target before West Brom gradually got into the game. Szczesny (I’m half Polish and I still have trouble writing that!) made a couple of smart low stops but on occasion looked suspect when trying to jump for a ball. Just like our other keepers then! Given that he’s only 19 I’ll let him off. Coquelin was quietly efficient in his passing whilst busy in his workrate but it was all pretty even really.

Then came the turning point late in the first half. Ex-Gunner Jerome Thomas tackled Wilshere but left a foot and elbow in as doing so. He offered an apology but Wilshere said something and then Thomas shoved his hand in Wilshere’s face. It was light but sensing the opportunity, the youngster made a bit of a meal of it and Thomas got sent off. It wasn’t violent but he can have no complaints. As I tweeted at the time, if you raise your arms you’re asking for trouble.

The real reason behind Thomas' reaction!

Anyway the numerical advantage only told in the second half once Carlos Vela came on for Giles Sunu. Receiving a rapturous reception on his return from injury, he immediately made an impact with his ability to draw the West Brom centre backs wide. The pace of the game increased with his sharp movement and passing and the space that playing against 10 men should have resulted in finally came about.

The first goal was a simple tap in by the brilliantly named Sanchez Watt (prefers it to Herschel which is his real first name!) and came after good work by Vela. He created space for himself on the edge of the box before shooting with enough power that Dean Kiely spilled it allowing Watt to slot home from three yards.

The second came soon after; Mark Randall attempting a chip from 25 yards that Vela himself would have been proud of. It hit the bar and then Leon Barnett attempted a mental chest back to the keeper (the ball was at knee height…). Obviously he screwed it up and Vela walked it into the net.

Wilshere and Vela take a corner. Sportboy T takes a crappy camera phone picture.

The rest of the game was played out without too much fuss and Arsenal find themselves in the fourth round. Overall I was impressed with Aaron Ramsey who has improved immensely and now looks too good for this level. Vela made the difference and again is pushing for first team action. Sanchez Watt was lively while the neat and tidy Coquelin could be one to watch giving the constant turnover of defensive midfielders at Arsenal.

The left flank of Gibbs and Traore were quiet in the first half but got into it in the second once the game was stretched. I’m still not quite sure what Traore’s long term role at the club is. I would suggest he focuses on becoming a true left winger. It was nice to see Senderos back and there was only one dodgy moment from him.

Szczesny made some good stops and look assured for 19. I read it was quite close between him and Mannone for the first team spot and have watched them both over the past few days I would be inclined to pick the Pole. Wilshere had some nice touches but was quiet overall. Sunu, Gilbert and Barazite did nothing of note.

I’d say on the whole it was a much more useful learning experience for the players then the 6-0 against Sheffield Utd at this stage last year even if it was less entertaining for myself. Credit to the West Brom fans who filled most of their allocation and had about five times as much support as Wigan did on Saturday (even sung a bit too).

T.

Easy peasy wasn’t it. West Brom came to town and duly got dumped out of the Carling Cup competition by a youthful Arsenal side bar the defense. There isin’t much I can tell you now cos there were no screening of this match yesterday, not on live television and not even on stream. I can only tell more once I’ve completed downloading the entire match off Arsenal TV.

From what I can gather off the numerous match reports, it was a fairly even game up until Jerome Thomas’ dismissal towards the end of the first half. A lot have been made out the Jack Wilshere’s reaction but the rules of the game are simple. You can’t lash out at another player with your arm and not expect to be red-carded. The young English lad may have made the most out of the confrontation but the simple fact remained. That said, Wilshere completed another 90 minutes for Arsenal and was at the heart of almost all of the attacking moves. It will be interesting to watch the replay considering he was deployed further back than expected. He started as one of the midfield trio together with Ramsey and Coquelin. No doubt he did more defending and tracking back than he ever needed to do in his short career.

The breakthrough came in the middle of the second half when Sanchez Watt side-footed Vela’s initial shot. Watt was the fastest to react to the rebound and full credit to him for scoring on his debut. Vela replicated Watt’s effort when he reacted to Mark Randall’s chip which strike the top goal bar. Vela and Randall were both introduced midway in the second half and duly justified Wenger’s decision. It was nice to see the young Mexican returning to the side. He has not had a proper run in the first team yet but the signs are definitely encouraging.

Randall is an interesting player. He has already been on the scene for a couple of years but haven’t quite made the breakthrough. Yet somehow he remains in Wenger’s plans. This in it itself is already puzzling considering the fact that Wenger never kept playing fringe players for a long time. I’ll admit that I’ve always like this lad. We’ve seen him on the flanks as well as centrally in midfield like he did during the Carling Cup run last season. He possesses a good touch and with an eye for a pass. He reminds me alot of Michael Carrick with his plays. His Bergkamp-esque chip provided Vela with the chance for the second goal and that itself says alot of Randall’s assured touch. Where he goes from here is anyone’s guess.

Phillipe Senderos enjoyed a winning return to a competitive Arsenal game. His presence alongside the stand-in captain of Silvestre would no doubt have easily kept West Brom at bay. Funny how fast life takes a turn. Two years ago and Senderos would’ve surely worn the captain’s armband ahead of the aging Frenchman. My guess is Wenger do not want to put too much pressure on his return and wants him to play his normal game. With a few more games in his belt, Senderos would be ready to take up the challenge should any of the first choice centerback pairing suffers any injuries.

So that’s it. Will update more once I’ve watched the whole match.

Thanks for your time. Talk to you again tomorrow.