Standard

I must keep notes. Yesterday I had several things I wanted to write about and now as I sit down to write this morning they have been swept away on the tides of last night’s dreams.

What were they? I made perfect hard boiled eggs:

  • bring water to a boil
  • lower cold eggs into the water
  • return to a boil
  • lid on and low temp for 10 minutes
  • rinse under cold water

But am I bragging? The yolks were creamy and yellow all the way, without a hint of green tinge and the whites were solid but not too rubbery, and the eggs peel like a dream. I can’t take credit for the recipe, that goes to the folks at Serious Eats. So, am I bragging? No. Sharing! Maybe this positivity thing is all in the framing?

I remember a positive thing now, Goonerholic. He’s been sick for a while and now his family have let everyone know that he’s in hospital again and not expected to come home.

I never met him and other than a few online interactions never spoke with him. His blog was one of the first I remember reading, though, and I loved his succinct and inimitable writing style. He was one of the ones that inspired me to write this blog.

But what got to me yesterday was the sheer number of people on twitter who said how much they loved the man. It seemed like everyone had a kind word to say. I know it’s hard but we can be a positive influence on other people’s lives. We don’t have to be dragged down by all of the negative things we see around us all the time. Remember that it’s easier to predict doom than success and even easier to destroy than to build.

And that, right there, is your positive story of the day.

That sentiment came through in Freddie’s press conference yesterday. He spoke about his job as youth coach and how he tries to get the young players to relax and be brave, adding “I try always to look at each individual player and see what his strengths and weaknesses are, and I ask how can I develop that player to become a better player and not just to do the same to every single player.”

Then Joe Willock was asked what impact Freddie has had on his career and all I can say is wow, Willock is much younger than I thought. I encourage everyone to take a few minutes and watch yesterday’s press conference. Not only for the way that Freddie deals with every question (the same one over and over about the new manager) but also just for Willock’s bits.

Right, so we have Standard Liege today and Arsenal are beset with injuries. The good news is that a win or a draw sees us through. Also a Vitoria win sees us through.

I don’t know who we are going to start at left back so I’m approaching that one like a mystery! My guess is Maitland-Niles? Whomever we start there I wonder if Freddie will keep Martinelli in front of them, just to help out with the work that they will have to do.That means Auba or Lacazette in the CF position -probably Lacazette? I’m just guessing at this point.. Does it really matter? Sort of.

Injuries are going to make it difficult to pick a lineup that has played together and which have demonstrated partnerships. Given the injuries I’m expecting a bit of a scrappy game from Arsenal (that’s not negative!). Hopefully we can get through this one, get a point or three, and start looking forward to Sunday.

Qq

20 comments

  1. I have given up trying to boil eggs by outing them in boiling water — they always break. Is there some trick, some nuance to that simple action?

    1. I lower them in with a strainer or a large spoon. Try not to sky hook them in from across the room.

    2. Temperature difference between egg and hot water will cause cracking – maybe acclimatising the eggs to the hot water will help.

      Tip: adding salt to the boiling water somehow makes it easier to peel the eggs.

  2. tim, holic’s blog, then yours, were my first two morning reads for years. it’s been too long since i read yours, and i’m glad i came by today. check out the comments section of his current (hopefully NOT last) blog…

    i still have my red arshavin shirt you sold!

  3. When I used to read more blogs and listen to more podcasts, Goonerholic was on my list. What struck me about him was he seemed gentle, not angry, not vitriolic. And hearing his voice on podcasts only confirmed that. He just seemed like… a nice guy. The news is sad, and I wish him and his family well.

  4. Tim
    great writing as usual.. the best way to test for a fully boiled egg (8-10 min in boiling water with a pinch of salt) is to put it on the countertop and spin it- if it does then it is cooked

  5. Didn’t know about lowering the temp and simmering them, I always cook them at full blast. Nice tip!

    Here’s another positive for y’all: Bukayo Saka.

  6. That’s how I boil my eggs too. Have for years. Cant remember where I read it, but it was clear — particularly peeling them easy easy — that I’d been doing it wrong all my life. But where I come from, if they ain’t hard boiled theyre not properly done. I make sure to specify that when I check into fancy hotels.

    Speaking eggs not well done, Jeremy Corbyn may be the worst Labour Party leader in a century, but the other bit of bad news — apart from the now-certainty of Brexit and the conservative victory — is that he has been returned at the MP for Arsenal Football Club. How’s that for a parallel?

    Moral… If you want to get rid of the ethical stain that is the Trump presidency, Bernie is not your guy.

    1. To clarify… I specify, to waiters at breakfast, how I like my boiled eggs. Not at check-in. I’m not J-Lo.

      1. Pity…I quite liked the idea of someone telling the front desk that I like my eggs hard boiled when checking in…

    2. Most lefties are clear Bernie isn’t (and wasn’t) the solution.
      The issue– is getting Bernie’s little bros to vote at all without Sanders on the ticket.
      These are the voters responsible for this 🤡presidency.

  7. Baiblagoi

    On the topics of eggs, add a pinch of salt to the water so the shells don’t break.
    Finally like how @Imothit said, lower the temperature so boils without bouncing wildly in the pan.

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