30th December

I did a spot of post Christmas vinyl shopping, procuring Dan Andriano And The Emergency Room's "Party Adjacent" and what I believed was going to be Kevin Devine's "Split The Country, Split The Streets" but turned out to be that record plus "Make The Clocks Move". Another record I like very much. This surprise two for one has very much made me a happy camper.

 Sunderland lost again. I was at work but my father described it as "shite". The relegation we've inexplicably avoided for the past four season must surely now be at hand. My dad may well take it harder than me. I don't suppose he thinks he'll ever see his team truly competing at the top level again.

I've just seen Jelle Klaasen beat Phil Taylor at the PDC World Championships 4-3. It was an extraordinary match, with both players having a dart at double to win. My rather speculative bets both on Klaasen to win and to do so 4-3 have left me with a bit in my betting coffers for the weekend. I've starting betting now by the way, in case I hadn't mentioned that. Will my gambling addiction destroy me? Stay tuned to find out.

I feel somewhat sad for Taylor because he's the greatest player in the sport's history and it feels like the beginning of the end of his career now. With Michael Van Gerwen knocked out yesterday, this probably represented his last chance to win a World Championships. It looks like he'll have to make do with 16. But what a great, open looking tournament we have left in prospect.

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