February 29, 2012

2012 WRC Rally Monte-Carlo Review


The 2012 World Rally Championship Season started with a return to Rally Monte-Carlo, for the first time since 2008. It was held from January 17 through January 22, 2012. This extra-long all-asphalt event began and ended a few hundred miles north of Monaco, in Valence. Eight-time WRC champion, French Citroën Total World Rally Team driver, Sébastien Loeb started the year with another victory.

This was the sixth win at Monte-Carlo for Loeb. Following him were former teammate Dani Sordo {MINI John Cooper Works WRC) of Spain in second, and in third place was Norway's Petter Solberg (back with factory Ford World Rally Team), who is no longer a privateer.

As a review of this season opening event, I've posted a list (in chronological order) of links to some daily reviews from WRC.com, and highlight videos.


Monte maestro Loeb in control after day one
Posted at WRC.com on January 19, 2012

Sebastien Loeb will start day two of Rallye Monte-Carlo - the opening round of the 2012 FIA World Rally Championship powered by Nokia - leading by more than one minute following a dramatic start to the legendary event on Wednesday [January 18, 2012]...


Thursday wrap: Loeb maintains Monte advantage
Posted at WRC.com on January 19, 2012

Sebastien Loeb has completed day two of Rallye Monte-Carlo with his lead of the FIA World Rally Championship presented by Nokia qualifier firmly intact following another impressive display in his Citroen DS3 WRC...


Friday wrap: Loeb grows Monte lead
Posted at WRC.com on January 20, 2012

...Despite his commanding margin of 2m12.4s over second-placed MINI driver Dani Sordo, Loeb said the treacherous conditions that greeted the crews on Friday’s second stage served as a timely reminder of the challenging nature of this rally...


Saturday wrap: Loeb closes on Monte win
Posted at WRC.com on January 21, 2012

...With Loeb continuing to dominate out front, the battle for the final podium places has taken centre stage today. Dani Sordo continues to hold second in his MINI John Cooper Works WRC but Petter Solberg has closed to within 19.1s of the Spaniard in his Ford Fiesta RS WRC after winning three of Saturday’s four stages...


BREAKING NEWS: Loeb wins Rallye Monte-Carlo
Posted at WRC.com on January 22, 2012

Sebastien Loeb has won Rallye Monte-Carlo for a sixth time following a dominant performance behind the wheel of the Citroen DS3 WRC he shares with Monegasque co-driver Daniel Elena...


Sunday wrap: Loeb lands maximum Monte points
Posted at WRC.com on January 22, 2012

...By claiming 25 points for victory plus three bonus points for winning the event-closing Power Stage, Loeb leaves the Principality with a maximum score in his bid to win the FIA World Rally Championship...


The wrc.com review: Rallye Monte-Carlo
Posted at WRC.com on January 23, 2012

...So it’s an incredibly strong line-up, with Solberg seemingly adapting to the Ford a little quicker than Hirvonen has got to grips with the Citroen. It’s not just been a question of learning the car for him: the culture shock for Hirvonen as a Finn in a very French team is going to be far greater than it is for Solberg coming back to Ford, and Citroen have had to alter their working practices too. For example, the team debriefs - which used to be in French during the Loeb-Ogier era - are now all in English...


2012 Rallye Monte Carlo Highlights
By BestOfRallyLive/Michelin - Uploaded to YouTube by Racingdownload




WRC Rallye Monte Carlo 2012 [HD]
Posted to YouTube by SUD Rallye (creators)




Rallye Monte Carlo 2012 [HD]
Posted to YouTube by Rallye Mad (creators)



February 27, 2012

Links For The 2012 NHL Trade Deadline

Washington Capitals locker room. Photo by Mitchell Layton from Getty Images.

The NHL trade deadline for the 2011-2012 season is 3:00 PM EST today, Monday - February 27, 2012. This post includes a list of some of the best sites to visit for online coverage. Live streams, twitter accounts and various websites that are among the first to report trades (and are the most knowledgeable / accurate) are linked below.


February 22, 2012

Junior's Reading And Viewing List:
January 1 - 10, 2012


In the 'Reading And Viewing List' for January 1 through January 10, 2012, Junior's Eyes revisits the first part of January 2012 through a sampling of title links, along with snippets of those publications.

Updates on television shows, music, Washington Capitals hockey, Formula One racing and WRC rally news are included.


January 10, 2012

Being Human: Keenan on Nina Exit
Posted at Cult Fix

"...I was asked not to say anything about my departure by the Powers That Be, which I dutifully adhered to for months, hence my sporadic tweeting, but now the press pack has been released it seems the story is out..."


Coming Soon: BEING HUMAN, series 4
By Dan Owen at Dan's Media Digest

BBC Three's acclaimed supernatural drama Being Human is back for a fourth series later this month [February 25th in North America], and the rollout of promotional material has begun. First you can visit the BBC Media Centre for a special introduction by creator Toby Whithouse, quelling fears that major cast changes...


Rolling Stones Face Fans’ Protest
By mdome at Classic Rock

...Calling themselves as the Rolling Stones Liberation Front, some of them have got together to demand changes to the way the band tour. And if these demands aren’t met, they’re threatening non-violent, disruptive action to force home their campaign...


Hear New Van Halen Single
By mdome at Classic Rock

...The song is called Tattoo, and you can hear it, as well as see the black & white video clip, right here...


Top Singers Sign Up For Ronnie Dio Tribute Album
By mdome at Classic Rock

Some of the biggest vocalists in rock and metal are lined up to appear on a Ronnie James Dio tribute album, which should be released towards the end of the year...


January 9, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Kings 5, Capitals 2
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Empty-Handed – The Caps finished off a two-game Western road trip with a 5-2 loss to the Kings in Los Angeles, two nights after dropping a decision to the Sharks in San Jose by an identical score...


REVIEW: The Sensorites DVD
By Cameron K McEwan at Blogtor Who

...a great story that demonstrates some interesting character traits on behalf of our heroes. The Doctor is as delightfully crotchety as ever - never have the words "hissy" and "fit" seemed so apt for the young Time Lord. His anger and impatience at the Sensorites is fascinating to watch and comes off as quite a nasty piece of work; almost over~bearing when it comes to his attitude towards Susan. It's an engaging watch, all to easy to forget that even back then, characters had "arcs"...


Being Human: Series 4 Hal Video Prequel
Posted at Cult Fix

The first Being Human Series 4 prequel can be viewed in the video below. It takes us on a trip back to 1955 and we are introduced to new lead vampire, Hal, and his captive werewolf Leo.



Being Human: Series 4 Cast Interviews
Posted at Cult Fix

Lenora Crichlow (Ghost Annie)...

...I missed Aidan and Sinead a lot, but the essence of Being Human, the love, enthusiasm and integrity of the show, is still there. We still have the same crew and production team behind it, but a different dynamic now we have had some changes in cast. Episode one is high high drama. Think huge tears, and huge shocks, but it is also very exciting. It will have you on the edge of your seat!...


Ruth Jones chat with Dave Gorman on Absolute Radio
Uploaded to their YouTube channel by Absolute Radio


Ruth Jones, star of Gavin and Stacey and new show Stella, pops into Absolute Radio for a chat with Dave Gorman about her career, the Welsh flag, her pal James Corden, and how she's worried about developing a Twitter addiction...


DVD Review - Endeavour
By Martyn Havell at Bad Wilf

Endeavour was filmed as a one-off to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Inspector Morse. But, with over night ratings of 6.5 millions and rave reviews I fully expect this to become a regular series, or at the very least a series of yearly one-off specials...


100 Club Fails In Listed Building Attempt
By mdome at Classic Rock

...English Heritage backed the plan, and had it succeeded it would have granted the club Grade II status as the oldest continuously running and surviving live music venue in London...


Tony Iommi has Cancer
By Joe Siegler at Black Sabbath Online

This just posted from the Official Black Sabbath Facebook page.
With the news that Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with the early stages of lymphoma, his bandmates would like everyone to send positive vibes to the guitarist at this time...


January 8, 2012

Review: U.N.I.T Files - DVD
By Dale Who at Doctor Who Online

...The TARDIS arrives back in present day London, bringing The Doctor (Jon Pertwee) to a deserted capital city. However the TARDIS isn't the only time machine operating in the area; and it's up to the Time Lord and his companion Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen) to work out who's responsible for the rather large stegasaurus in the middle of Pall Mall in this two disc release from the BBC / 2|Entertain stable; forming one of the two stories making up the U.N.I.T Files Box-set...

...Doctor Who Stories: Elisabeth Sladen: Part One - Culled from "The Story Of Doctor Who", this featurette does two things: it makes you remember just how great Sarah Jane Smith was, and it breaks your heart when you think that Lis Sladen is no longer with us to reprise that great character. Featured in part one are her experiences with the Third Doctor, from her meeting with Barry Letts and Jon Pertwee, through her memories of Daleks, Exxilons and Whomobiles. It's hardly new material, or in most cases new stories and anecdotes, but it's just great to see such a wonderful Doctor Who legend on screen looking so full of life, even if knowing there'll be no more new stories adds a piquancy to the featurette...


January 7, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Sharks 5, Capitals 2
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

...The Sharks began to turn the momentum tide in the second, forechecking hard and having a strong presence at the top of the paint in front of Vokoun. San Jose, now 8-1-3 in its last dozen games, was playing its third game in four nights. Getting a late goal in the second had to be a big momentum lift for the Sharks...


New Alice Cooper Live Album Next Month
By mdome at Classic Rock

...Called No More Mr Nice Guy Live, it was recorded at his Alexandra Palace show on October 29 last year. The two CD set will have the following track listing...


January 6, 2012

Karen Gillan & Martin Freeman on The Graham Norton Show
Posted at Blogtor Who


Actress Karen Gillan (Amy Pond) was a guest on The Graham Norton Show earlier this evening - watch her interview in the player above. The actress discusses leaving Doctor Who, fans and her new drama, We'll Take Manhattan. Also featured is Sherlock star, Martin Freeman, who talks about the third series of Sherlock, and "actor" Gerard Butler.


NHL delays realignment after players’ association refuses
to give consent

By Katie Carrera at Washington Post's Capitals Insider

According to a statement released by NHLPA Director Don Fehr, the players did not agree to realignment because questions about the proposed playoff format and excessive travel were not sufficiently addressed by the league...


Raikkonen: Lotus buzzing - it's great to be part of it
Posted at Formula1.com

After two years away from the sport, 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen is thrilled to be back in a Formula One factory preparing for a new season. Raikkonen spent Thursday at Lotus's UK base in Enstone meeting engineers and having a seat fitting, before his new team's winter test schedule gets underway next month...


January 5, 2012

Episode 52
Podcast posted at Bad Wilf

In which your heroes look at The Doctor Who Christmas "special" and the Ausie K-9.


Ratt Members Working With Dave Grohl
By Allyson B. Crawford at Noise Creep

Can it be? A glam metal band collaborating with a former member of Nirvana? Well, it's true. Ratt's Stephen Pearcy (vocals) and Warren DeMartini (guitar) are working with Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, and the unlikely trio just finished recording a new song...


Buemi lands Red Bull test and reserve role
Posted at Formula1.com

Red Bull have announced that Sebastien Buemi will become their test and reserve driver for the 2012 season, supporting racers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber. Buemi has spent the last three years competing for sister team Toro Rosso but was dropped from the Italian squad's race line-up at the end of 2011...


January 4, 2012

Flames’ Rene Bourque suspended five games for elbowing
Capitals’ Nicklas Backstrom

By Katie Carrera at Washington Post's Capitals Insider

...Brendan Shanahan, the NHL’s vice president of player safety, handed down the suspension for the blatant elbow, which marks the second time Bourque has received supplementary discipline in less than three weeks. Bourque received a two-game suspension for hitting Chicago’s Brent Seabrook from behind in mid-December...



Top Ten Stories of 2011 -- Number 5: "Goalie Decision"
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

We are into the top five of the top ten stories of 2011, starting with a decision that was years in the making...


Evgeny Kuznetsov records four points in Russia’s semifinal win
over Canada in WJC

By Katie Carrera at Washington Post's Capitals Insider

...All told, Kuznetsov finished the night with four points – three goals and an assist – and helped Russia carry a 6-1 lead into the third period. While the Canadians nearly completed the comeback, Russia managed to capture the win and advance to face Sweden in the gold medal game on Thursday...


Hirvonen: I love and loathe Monte
Posted at WRC.com

New Citroen recruit Mikko Hirvonen has spoken of his love/hate relationship with the first round of the 2012 World Rally Championship season, Rallye Monte-Carlo...


January 3, 2012

Fire fighters
By Joe Beninati (Capitals TV Play-By-Play) at CSN - Washington, DC

In speaking with several Capitals yesterday at Kettler Iceplex, they knew they would have their hands full with the Flames. Calgary doesn’t have a line-up littered with superstars, but what they do have is a bunch of “worker bees”. Tonight the home team was rewarded for its willingness to tough it out against a feisty foe. They battled the Flames and put out the fire...


Episode 51
Podcast posted at Bad Wilf

In which Martyn Pete and Imran record in the same location, for the first time. We discuss Genesis Of The Daleks, then go off topic...


Michael Schenker reunites with Robin McAuley for tour
By Dave Soref at Sound Spike

Nearly 20 years after they last worked together in the McAuley Schenker Group, axman Michael Schenker is reuniting with vocalist Robin McAuley for a 2012 North American tour that launches Feb. 15 in San Francisco...


Review: DOWNTON ABBEY, series 1 & 2
By Dan Owen at Dan's Media Digest

It's easy to see why Downton Abbey's become such a hit on both sides of the Atlantic. It arrived on our airwaves with impeccable timing, coinciding with a period where it feels like the world's on the brink of financial ruin. What better way to distance yourself from the present uncertainties, than by revisiting the Edwardian era, where life was more rigid and everyone knew their place. It's cultural nostalgia, warped and beautified accordingly, but Oscar-winning creator Julian Fellowes' idealised view of the early-20th century has the power to seduce...


Star-studded entry for WRC opener
Posted at WRC.com

...Seven world champions, six winners of world championship rallies, a double European title-holder and the inaugural FIA WRC Academy Cup champion are among those set to tackle the motorsport showpiece from 17-22 January...


Lost Lizzy Tapes To Be Released
By mdome at Classic Rock

...Apparently, just before he died in 1986, Phil Lynott gave 150 tapes to someone for safekeeping. These have surfaced and been acquired by Universal Music; some of the recordings will be released in the new box set...


Van Halen Debut New Song Live: Watch The Video!?
By mdome at Classic Rock - Updated January 6, 2012

Van Halen played a brand new song when they appeared at the Cafe Wha? in New York last night (Thursday, January 5). And they’ve also confirmed the title of their upcoming album...


Iron Maiden Guitarist Announces New Band
By mdome at Classic Rock

Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith is involved in a new project called Primal Rock Rebellion...


January 2, 2012

Before There was Elf
By Joe Siegler at Black Sabbath Online

Those of you who have been following this site for awhile know of my affinity for trying to present the entire story, not just bits and pieces, or just selected parts. Well, that’s why this piece is of particular interest to me. I’ve been following Ronnie James Dio’s career for a long time. First hopped on board in 1981, and followed his work until he died in 2010. Pretty much everyone knows about his Rainbow & Black Sabbath careers. Some know about his Elf material before Rainbow, but I’d say it’s a safe bet that the majority of fans don’t know about his pre-Elf material. There was a decent amount of it. Ronnie’s first recorded anything came out in 1957. Which means his recording career ran 52 years from...


Review: SHERLOCK, 2.1 – "A Scandal In Belgravia"
By Dan Owen at Dan's Media Digest

...It's been an agonising 18-months since the BBC's internationally successful Sherlock Holmes update ended on a tense cliffhanger, but that's given everyone more than enough time to catch the repeats, buy/rent the DVD, and tell their friends about a show that may have escaped their notice during the summer of 2010. Thankfully, the wait is now over, and we have another trio of feature-length episodes to enjoy—and each one this year's based on arguably Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most popular stories...


January 1, 2012

Guide to Series 7
By Cameron K McEwan at Blogtor Who


Included below are links to various bits of news about the next series of Doctor Who, due to air in Autumn 2012. This page will be updated as and when stuff happens.

At the launch of the 2011 Christmas Special the current showrunner announced that The Ponds are leaving and there'll be a new companion (a "he/she/it") whilst Karen Gillan added she is filming a few episodes for the series...

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