Went to watch the rangers-united game last night in an Irish pub on my street. Yes, I know, but all the other pubs were showing Stuttgart against Panathinaikos, which didn't sound too exciting. It was a good game, too good to be decided by that ridiculous Phil Neville goal. The pub was a bit weird though. There was some loud Californian at the bar moaning about Germany, and a few other ex-pat types who'd dropped in for the game, but the clientele was mostly German. Beer is ordered in whatever language you find to hand. There were a large number of regulars, most of whom drank Guinness, and a bilingual pub quiz, but there was something a bit phony about the whole place. Apparently it's only been open a year or so, so maybe that's something to do with it.

Very sad to hear that Elliott Smith has died. I liked his music a lot. I only saw him live once, in September 1998. He was great that night, I'd never heard of him at the time, but I bought his record the next day. My favourite recording of his is probably his first solo album, Roman Candle.