This week has been about travel and meeting people...and the positives of "networking"and  negatives of "obstructions" and the dark side at work.....my "reason" to help local REdS understand (if need be) the mentality of Shank's original "Liverpool way" (see video) and our version of the Socialist ethic..is a Team..a Good team where individuals create a collective unity through positive energy and commitment AND are allowed to develop as individuals. So over a period of a week or so I intended to meet as many "Balkan REdS" as possible... to provide moral & pragmatic support to those who have initiative and encourage others to avoid the modern "fast-food" fans and become TRUE REDS..."There are places I remember................(Beatles "in my life")  ..but it IS. and ALWAYS WILL BE that People matter most...
 

         Pg/SA/Tuzla, Nina non-scouser-Tommy and Semir

     The day I left Pg, Liverpool had drawn at home to wigan, the effects of our players
          in mid-week games and some "luck" with Suarez hitting the post and bar in a lively
          display cost us 2 valuable points in our return to the top of the league..LFC Suffer
          more than most clubs, we have the biggest contingent of international class players
          of any english club (which mocks "popular opinion"  that our squad lacks "depth &
          quality") its about getting the BEST out of those players which Kenny is doing..too
          many "Fans" just feed of the media propaganda. a Great team i made up of Effective
          players, not only those who "show" but those who WORK... (like Lucas)

                                
     The wigan goal was offside, and how many times have referees decided against us
          already this season..its becoming a sick joke.. their "agenda" ...stop the REdS?

          On saturday I had a few bevvies with "AbFab" ...arsenal fan..but we discussed everything.
         .then I had a quiet evening before getting the overnight bus...

          11212 horoscope "It scares you when life seems like it's slipping through your fingers
         and you can't slow it down. But it isn't life that's playing tricks on you. You aren't seeing
         things as clearly as you should be. You feel a little left out, but don't worry. You're just
         out of energy. Try and think of this empty feeling inside as a kind  of purification or a
         much-needed break from everything.

         instead I go on a 2000km "bus/train road trip" ...
         Pg->SA->Tuzla->N.SAD->Subotica->"BigRED"(Beograd)->Pg
         .....catching a bus to SARAJEVO (SA) shortly before midnight..

  13, feb sunday - monday 14th (valentines ) 11h  "only 24 hours  in Tulsa"  i mean Tuzla.....

11213 horoscope "To those around you, you might appear to be your usual logical, rational self, Gemini. Actually, you may be drawing a lot of your ideas and insights from deep within your psyche. You're probably drawing on experiences from your past, even if you aren't consciously aware of it. Even though the
source is unorthodox, whatever you come up with is likely to have a lot of practical value." ////

             Sunday ; woke with a start , had been dozing on the overnight bus, it was 5am, the
             bus was turning round, I coughed and the co-pilot  said that i must get off,
             where was I ? Sarajevo, well, sot of, in east SA, 5, 20 or 20 kms outside
            the centre depending on who s translation I believed when i asked taxi
            drivers the costs ,,10 euros , about 5 x what it would cost to traverse Pg,
           .... the effects of saturday's marathon tv footy afternoon with "abfab"  worn off,
             we had mostly discussed the world , the NWO and social alternatives than watched
             footy (mancs derby and Afc v wolves) Lfc had drawn at home v wigan, the after effects
            of another distracting national friendly week of football took our best players away
           and the REdS apparently looked tired coming back from playing for Brazil, & all parts
           of europe, missing already was Gerrard and the return to form of dAgger spoiled by
           an injury with Denmark, how I hate these weeks just when Kenny had got a rythum
           of 4 straight wins...looking on the bright side Suarez hit the post/bar twice and the
           wigan goal was offside, add big Andy, Stevie and Danny and we will be a top side,
           ................again!  (but Raul scored..again)
                             
... I phoned "queenie" at 5am she sounded really "happy" to be woken up from her rakija  - sleep....;) to say I am "here" wherever that was??? anyway being stubborn , and on my economy tour of the Balkans ...a taxi driver saw me walking and agreed to drop the price  to 6e ..it was freezing cold, and at 6am I didnt fancy learning about Sarajevo in the dark  winter morn..In the centre of SA ,, I got dropped at the cathedral, and a quick walk though to the bus station
where a very unfriendly counter lady wouldn't sell me a ticket , then i realised that i had been "euro-spolied" in "monty" ...they use "markis" here in BiH ,
luckily i found an ATM,,and soon on my was to Tuzla, dozed again on the bus, but not really sleeping as my "alarm" was "primed" one adventure for a
tired REDAlien was enough..
 

            about 11h I woke Nina again...had a "bus station brunch" and then "Tuzla Tommy"
            and another friend helped Nina collect me and find my "pansion" room, I prefer
           staying with people but...its not easy for some Balkans people to get over past distrust
           I guess.....a few bevvies, in the park, with Nina, tommy and Semir (beware the dark
           side luke, or lucas, please Semir no more twitter insults to our players, past or present)
           ...some fans just really need to focus on our positives..and insult our enemies,
           as I seem to have done in the "LAV" ...bar a couple of nice guys greeted us there,
           insulted a (real) MAdrid fan, and asked a lad, sporting a manc emblem on his shirt,
           I asked him "so what terrible thing did your mother do to you to
         make you wear that?????????" an early night, tv and treid to get used to
           another strange bed...pansion breakfast and meet Nina
           monday.....at 11H ..after 24hrs in Tuzla...

           11214horoscope; "A call from a romantic partner could lead to an intimate get-together,
           Gemini. It's likely to be highly gratifying emotionally and bring you closer together.
           Passionate poetry and sexy novels could especially appeal to you right now. If you're
           into writing, you could channel your rush of sensuality into producing results that are
          so well thought out that they surprise even you. Get started!"

            11215horospcope "15 feb Your internal computer just got upgraded today and your
            head is buzzing with all kinds of new information, Gemini. The good news is that
            you should be able to process all these bytes at lightning speed. Act swiftly and with
            great confidence. You can do anything. You could even talk your way into the White
            House for dinner."    ............            Went with Nina and cousin Aida to meet Daniel
            for the "Balkan REdS meet n.4"  t-shirts, quickly sorted, (10 x small, 10x medium,
            10 x large, 10 x XL , 10 x XXL...) and then checked buses to N. Sad, nothing direct,
            but several via Bijeljina (tip: keep small change for the bus as sometimes you have to
            pay for your bags to go with you..<smile>) we had a coffee in "central" cafe in a
            baroque building, and Nina reminded me of the  recent past, a grenade had landed
            in the Tuzla street and killed a group of kids hanging around outside..I can never
            understand hatred based purely on ethnic,  religious or national origin, or "land".......
            people are more or less the same worldwide, it is "leaders" who try to "divide/rule" US

                             
           I had a "siesta" at the Pansion, then went alone to "Stari Grad" restoran for
           "Cevapi" and then had a chat with caffe-pub owner Mirza before Tommy and Nina
           arrived and the next 2 hrs sped past chatting outside in the moist winter Tuzla air about
           funny stories and drinking, Tommy and his "lustig" german language from his time  in
          the swiss "refuge" ...we agreed to co-op on the "ursun channel" with local music and
          funny tranbslations and subtitles for the Redman TV and our own "Balkan REDS "
          supporters.

          Nina will email a nice "reminder" about the meeting to all the members in the book
          and get a <www.ursun.net > ? site ..sponsored by <Translation AngelS> we also
          considered promoting  <Nina s Nurse and Nanny services> with ex-pat families in the
          region, we shall see how Nina's new opportunity develops.. a BIG thanks to Nina for
          her initiative, fortune favours the brave..."s/he who dares wins" and a thanks to
          Samir and " non-scouser Tommy Tuzla"  ....good company!

         had a LITTLE "drama" before leaving the pansion, the man told me i could pay by card,
         of course, the  morning I leave he isnt there...and the woman only wanted cash
          ...never mind... <smile>  I thank Nina & co for all the effort.

          N.Sad/Subotica "Spear-chucker" and Trotter..and Mike

11216 horoscope : "It would be a good idea to socialize with others today in a comfortable, open setting. Say what you feel instead of just concentrating on what you think, Gemini. Be just as good a listener as you expect others to be for you. Join a writing circle or take a painting class. Your creativity is looking for an outlet today, so you might as well share this gift among friends."   ....I was pleased to get a quick connection at Bijeljina, a coffee and within the hour I was on my way to Novi Sad ("Never Sad" ) ...sitting opposite 2 typically young, pretty girls from there. "Spear-chicker" (M) had kindly informed me days earlier that I could stay on his couch, before and after the planned mini-meet in Subotica ..(as "compensation" for not going to Prague, as I had offically complained to LFC/Uefa etc about the price RIP-OFF by sparta ; triple prices from 20e to a minimum of e70 is just criminal.. and because of that and my "boycott" of that game we agreed to go to "Liverpool Pub" Subotica, near the Hungarian border.

            My host <spear-chucker>found me a couch, and exactly where to meet him in N.Sad
          and showed his positive mentality by coming to pick me up, despite the demands
          of his faculty. within an hour of arrival I was at his flat catching up on messages..
         We got some food from the local store (where a mature lady on the check-out took a
         fancy to me, lol , after we fouled up their machine !) a rest, and then later went out on
         a "never Sad bar crawl" ...irish pub (Red Cow) saw "abfabs" team get back against
         Barca, but dont get impressed, Lfc could beat both of their teams, in fact our youth
         Team winning 9-0 in the cup a couple of days earlier could beat Barca ...<smile>
             
We tested diffrerent bars and different drinks, but "Bunker Hill" got me dancing although a cracking lass in another bar caught my eye and i tried to get M "connected" ...we went BACK to B-hill and the bar-lady gave me ciggies and danced around a bit, the lads a good mover too..! <smile> ..we drunk some more and I finished with a tequila and that almost finished me, whilst M was "well oiled" enough tio sing Liverpool songs all the way back to his flat in the deserted city streets early thursday morning, scaring some all=night bakers saleswoman.. he said "hello to god on the big white phone" but I was not bad and got some sleep...After brunch we slept mostly until we had to leave to catch an early train to Subotica, it was full , but cheap (only about 3 euros for 100km journey) althought he train was slow, we passed through his hometown, and "Trotter" met us on the way, only a few had made it, but apprecaited that David ("cuddles") was there with his girlfriend, and Mike from Liverpool , who had lived with his Serbian girlfriend there more or less 20 years, we had a long chat...although he is not a TRUE REd , he will watch games, but RARE for someone from LP, he dont really "support" or go to games..but as he knows Sasa (the pub owner)...

             11207horoscope ; "Some unsettling news from far away could have you stressed
            out, Gemini.  This might affect your work if you aren't careful. Your mind may stray
          back and forth from work to the news and its implications. Stay focused. All signs
          are that whatever you've heard is likely to be far less troublesome than it appears right
          now. Don't fly off the handle until you know the  facts.

         now there is something to "interpret"....this "message"..COULD mean..

        the reaction from Leons mum that my present to him hasnt arrived and that she says
        I am "not welcome" to visit my estranged 14 year old son..

        or...that Luka (from beograd/Kovin) has nt answered my request to meet saturday! (and
        he told Marija that he wasnt coming to tuzla either!)

        or...maybe the Team in Prague...well we waited whilst Sasa & Trotter tried to get the TV
        "on line" for the game (more "cia" anti-RED obstructions??) ;) we had a snack and then
       @ H-T M and myself decided to get a train back to NS, (we would have stayed until the
       next train (03 hrs!!!) had the  "party" started ...but athough the pub was full. the lack of
       TV and "Kop menu" gave us reason to go back to his flat rather than lose another nights
       sleep.. the resulting 0-0 wouldnt have bothered me, but the absence of (at least) the other
       "serboys" and the group that wanted to go to Prague was/is a "concern"...

Some Lads got to meet Ex-RED Vladi (Smicer)

Pepe had some problem to see his Team Mates, but Kenny was "made up" just to be in charge again in a EUROPEAN game ( remember heysel-ban !)

M & I played "train game" having to get on & off  & on again @ subotica station but made Bojana laugh (girl from a small town nearby who studies economics but cant remember the number of stations til she gets off) we made her laugh, nice girl, but M missed geting her phone number..later that day after brunch M took me across NS to the "fortress" (2nd largest in Europe?) and we talked, hes a good lad, good company, good mentality..and had a coffee in "absolut" before I went to meet Izzy...

             We had exchanged many times on FB about meeting, and I was a bit annoyed that
             Lfc fans "Bilja " and "Rash" had managed to foul up previous plans to meet REdS
             from Novi Sad, however, i wanted to know Izzy more because she had "stories" so I
             was happy that sher actually listened whilst I explained some of my history..

             and I met her "dizzy-dog" , well If you can imagine how a person is when they are
             drunk or "high" then see a dog acting the same, then you might understand how this
             dog acts,,,apart from raping the stool, she (not Izzy) wanted to sleep with me several
             times and her wet tongue in my ear in the middle of the night reminded me that I
             dont have a "girlfriend" <smile> since 2 years...I appreciated Izzy's offer to stay on
             her couch, especially as we both had suffered the "rash" earlier.. (stupid  to invite
             a manc/RSbelgrade fan to meet us,..)
             Izzy has lots of energy, made something like  "sausage rolls" for me, we forgot to have
             her soup and drunk some beers, and "bellingcourt"?  and talked things that are not
             for this Blog...I hope next time we meet we can finally go dancing..eh Izzy?? ;)

             Saturday, Izzy and  had time for a coffee and smoke, before she called a taxi back to
             M for me, a shower, then walked to catch my train to "BigRED" ..was cancelled &
             switch to bus meant I was Early, but..the strange absence of Luka, was more than
             compensated by meeting the lovely & charming Marija, a new True RED, thanks..
             & am sure she, liek Nina, will do great things for "Balkan REdS" and I will help
             them both "live the dream" ..and share some great moments, that I am lucky to know.
 
 

The overnight bus to Pg was stopped for control 4 times with 5 minutes of the border on bus from Big REds to Pg, FOUR checs of the bus...!! that just continued..the "obstructions" after the Serbian frontier checks, a few metres later MOnty check, then within about 2 kms police stopped us TWICE on the road..extreme "anti-ChriS" action or WHAT?

costs ;
              Cash out ;
            (12 feb)       e 50 (float)
            (14 feb)       100 km (convertible Marks) @ Sarajevo
            (16 feb)       5000 Dn @ N. Sad
            (19 feb)       5000 Dn @ BigRED
                               = c 200e
        TRavel (BUS) ...inc paying for Bag in hold..
        Pg - SA                         =   e20
        SA - Tuzla                    = Km 22
        Tuzla- Bijeljina            = km 11
        Bijeljina - N.Sad          = km 17
        N.Sad - BigRED (Beo)= DN 650 (M paid 150) + 50
        BG - pg                         = DN 2440 + 100
        +Train N.Sad - Subotica
         (return tickets)    = DN 768
         Taxi in SA              =  e6
         (sub total = aprox e90)
         accomodation/meeting
         Pansion "Kipovi" Tuzla..   km 105 (15 km over)
         3 nights B & B  =   Km 105
         restoran Biblioteca
         Nina/Semir      =   Km 51
         (sub total  =  aprox e80)
         Misc drinks/food = e30 aprox.
         (not inc misc drinks bought by Nina/Tommy/Semir/Mil/MD)
         Travel aprox               ; e90
         accomodation/meet  ; e80
         drinks/snacks            ; e30
         ------------------------____
         Total =                         e200

          @kennethdalglish great hopes for the FutuREDS
              .......I wish Rafa was also still involved somehow..

          I clutch the wire fence until my fingers bleed,
         A wound that will not heal, a heart that cannot feel.
         Hoping that the horror will recede,
         Hoping that tomorrow we'll all be freed.........JUSTICE.

11219horoscope; You should be feeling especially passionate now, Gemini, especially regarding partnerships. Romantic partnerships definitely call for an evening alone together. Professional and creative ones, on the other hand, call for a new project that you both believe in. Look to events in distant states or foreign countries for inspiration. Something begun far away from home could capture your imagination."

.................day 9 at the  End of the "C(h)ris-is RED Balkan tour"..no "KLUB dancing" no Subotica, no Luka, no ob2 but a lovely Marija to see me off @ "BigREDS station" and a special thanks to Miilutin and Izzy and her dizzy dog..I am now back in Pg,...I got back to Pg, (05h) a bit tired...but just wanted to say thanks...Why didnt I go to "Klub Lepotica"? the weather, a bit tired after a week of travel, (also because of the "pansion" I hit my budget limit of 200 euros) ..and nowhere to stay afterwards (Luka'; note I gave the 11 wham match programms to the lovely Marija ) ..It was a nice way to end a difficult week and we had a litte meeting before she saw me off @ "BigREDS station"

              @misshanks hmmm, I would love to see the "REDmen" do a spoof programme
                 on fenway, red sox and Linda, imagine paul with a long black wig? ;)
                 (to misshanks karen elizabeth gill)
                 Miss Shanks> That's absolutely beautiful. Especially love the last line.
                 Thank you so much for sharing xxxx (@bigsamthetim)http://yfrog.com/gzyievcj

                 misshanks karen elizabeth gill>Phone hacking:
                 Football must blow the whistle on this cycle of abuse
               | Tom Watson gu.com/p/2n8ay/tw via @guardian

                 ChriS>Sorry for some fans who cant take being reminded that they didnt bother
                  enough about reaction to Lfc s weakness in recent years , whatever i think about
                  FSG, supporters were not encouraged enough to see the shares as not only
                  protection but an investment, some clearly miss the point, (want to) that Lfc
                  globally ARE worth a billion (if managed properly) and NESV got it for a "snip"
                  ..broughton didnt do his job and purslow and hodgson caused more damage
                 because neither set of yankers knew what to do for our best interest
                 ..yes "i told u so" reminding YOU of that dont make me the "bad guy"
                 ..and we also lost Torres because of continued mis management,
                 if we didnt have Kenny we woild be deeper in the xxxx now..

hero of the day  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcZE__ixH_E&feature=related
Suarez-song/video 'I just can't get enough'' - http://yfrog.com/mqf61z
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFOl2BVCTGE&feature=player_embedded
christian-purslow-slammed-nesv-deal-to-buy-liverpool-fc-a-month-before-the-sale-
worms , can of...they all come wriggling out, purslow and broughton were NEVER "heroes" (maybe they were NESV heroes though..)
I see that we play WBA (hodgsons new club) on the 2nd of APRIL ...pity its not the day before, we could have celebrated his birthday!
@TonyBarretTimes (about the "wirte" tv series being good...
CS>rare that I agree with you, Tony, but it was a great series just re-run all 5 series on local TV..typical, wasn/t ecognised

         http://www.mypod-net.org/CLUBLOG-uRsUN.html

         
         Next... a BIG thanks to Nina for the 5/6 th march initiative..
       I have an idea on scoring points for attending meetings and to decide who goes to Anfield..

       100 points for "organising"
        50 points for match attendance (bucharest , skopje)
        25 points for attending a meeting ; Stara P , Bar, Tuzla etc

       this will make it fair for the Anfield trip end april..(prize and limited group)

       a special thanks to Milutin for hosting me 3 days and a great night out wednesday,
       pity abiout Subotica, but need to check equipment and etc BEFORE meetings in future,
       ...(but many who said they were going didnt bother)  aweek of "technical and travel
problems" ..if you are in the Balkans .."be prepared" and thanks to Izzy for "sharing" , for the couch friday , for helping me "survive" the "rash" ....and for her food./ drink & dizzy dog.(would rather it be an affectionate lady that licks my ear in the middle of the night, though) /// and I am now back in Pg,...
TRUE REDS ...YOU are ALL  a VERY special part of my life! ChriS x   and looking forward to "Big RED Andy" starting for LFC..

                 Nina has done a lot of work and care to prepare the situation, I have checked everything..
                 - we will have great souvenir T-shirts
                 - we will have exclusive use of "Lion cafe" (nice people!!)
...              - we will have a meeting to discuss plans for visiting Anfield and OTHER benefits for members
                (attendance at this meeting is vital if you want to j...oin a group trip to Liverpool)
                 - after party
                  news about our own "Balkan Reds channel" (TV /audio)

                   so...dont miss it! (www.ursun.org)
 

                end 11221-15h