Unai Emery Sacked As Arsenal Manager

Unai Emery has been sacked as Arsenal manager after 18 months in charge. The Spaniard, who previously led Paris St-Germain to the French league title and won three Europa Leagues with Sevilla, was appointed Gunners boss in May 2018, succeeding Arsene Wenger. He has been replaced on a temporary basis by assistant and former Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg. Arsenal said the decision had been “taken due to results and performances not being at the level required”. The Gunners have not won in seven games and lost 2-1 at home to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League on Thursday. It is their worst run without a victory since February 1992, which was eight games under George Graham. They are without a Premier League victory since 6 October and eight points off the top four.

Ljungberg took training on Friday and the Arsenal statement added: “We have full confidence in Freddie to take us forward. “The search for a new head coach is under way and we will make a further announcement when that process is complete.”  Ljungberg posted on social media: “However long I oversee Arsenal for I will give everything I have to put smiles on faces again. We have a busy few weeks ahead and the team needs your support. Let’s get to work.” Arsenal’s head of football Raul Sanllehi and technical director Edu informed Emery at about 09:00 on Friday and the players were told at 10:00 as they arrived for a recovery session. Ljungberg addressed the players and Emery also had the chance to say goodbye. Other names linked with the post include former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, Manchester City assistant coach Mikel Arteta, ex-Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri and Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe.

The Arsenal Supporters’ Trust (AST) said Emery’s dismissal was “unfortunate but inevitable” and the “more difficult challenge is to recruit a suitable successor”. Arsenal finished fifth in 48-year-old Emery’s first season in charge at Emirates Stadium after he replaced Wenger. They went into this season having spent more than ÂŁ130m in the summer after signing winger Nicolas Pepe, centre-back David Luiz, left-back Kieran Tierney, striker Gabriel Martinelli and defender William Saliba, who will join next summer. The club also brought in midfielder Dani Ceballos on loan from Real Madrid. They started this season with back-to-back victories against Newcastle and Burnley, but that run ended with defeat by Liverpool, before draws with north London rivals Tottenham and Watford followed. Their last Premier League victory was a 1-0 win over Bournemouth.

Gorgeous Gift Ideas For The Spiritual People In Your Life

While you can’t buy a stairway to heaven, it is sometimes helpful to acknowledge the faith of those we love by getting them gifts relevant to their beliefs. In fact, there is a wide selection of items available for folks from a whole range of belief systems and spiritual practices. Some of which you can discover in the post below.

Buddhists/Meditators – Zafu and Zabuton 

You are probably already aware that those practicing forms of Buddhism and even the agnostic version Mindfulness, spend a fair bit of time meditating. Much of which is done crossed legged while sitting on the ground.

Of course, if they are enlightened master level, then the discomfort of this position will barely register in their consciousness. However, if they are still tentatively beginning their walk on the 8 fold path, a meditation mat and cushion can be an excellent gift.

In fact, these items, known as a Zafu and Zubuton, respectively, come from the Japanese tradition of Zen. The advantage of using them being that they can not only help cushion the ankles during meditation, and also help to get your spine in the right position as well. This being likely to make them a welcome addition to any mediator’s life.

Christians – Cross Jewelry 

You may think that buying gifts for Christian friends and loved ones is easy. After all, there is that really important key text they talk about a lot, and they have a pretty prominent symbol too. However, it’s not just about finding something that appeals to their religious beliefs but also matches the type of person they are as well.

With that in mind, opting for a piece of jewelry from providers like Holy Grace can be an excellent choice. In fact, there you can find a whole range of crosses and crucifixes as well as holy medals in many different metals and designs. Something that should make it so much easier to pick an item that you know the person you are gifting it to are sure to love and wear.

Yogis – Yoga Mat

The most obvious gift for those people in your life that are practicing Yogis is a mat on which they can conduct their asanas. However, just Googling the term Yoga mat will have you inundated with different types, materials, colors, and designs.

What this means is picking the right one can be something of a headache. Fortunately, you can navigate this issue by examining the type of practice your yoga-loving pal does. Now, I’m not talking about Iyengar, Ashtanga, or Bikram here. Instead, look for whether they head to a sports center or practice in their own home.

The reason being that those heading to the gym for their yoga class are likely to be more interested in the muscle training aspect of yoga, and so may appreciate a mat design will excellent grip. However, those for whom yoga is more of a lifestyle may prefer a mat with some more environmentally friendly qualities like the ones discussed here.

I Need My Coffee

This week and the last week, I have been waking up by 5:30 or 6 am and getting to work by 8:30 am. And other than the Monday last week, I have been waking up with a bad headache. This headache usually lasts for the most part of the morning, even past my coffee, shave and shower. After I change and get ready to go to work it still persists and doesn’t go away for a while.

It wasn’t there during the weekend or this Monday but again it comes up on Tuesday and I suffered from it on Wednesday and yesterday. And it only hits me today as to what is happening. I have been getting caffeine withdrawals! I have only been drinking the cup of joe in the morning and not having another cup at all during the day. This isn’t normal for a guy like me who usually drinks 3-4 cups a day.

That’s why I have been craving Coke/Pepsi these days and drinking a small bottle of either cola once or twice a day. I just had a second cup sometime back and I will drink another one a bit later in the afternoon/evening. Man, I need my coffee.

In The Face Of Death, We Are All A Little Awkward

Nobody sold death better than Michael Keaton as Betelgeuse. Wouldn’t we all love to own the handbook for the recently deceased that’s pictured in the movie? At least, some might argue, we would know what there is to come.

Death, despite having been part of human history for as long as we’ve been on the planet, remains a mystery that we can’t crack. More importantly, it is a mystery that makes us feel uncomfortable. Not only don’t you know what might come after, but you are none the wiser as to what to tell the grieving family. In the face of death, we are all desperately awkward – and that’s nothing Betelgeuse could help manage.

Sending flowers is an art

There is no funeral without flowers. However, sending flowers is an art that is more difficult to master than it seems. Indeed, the flowers serve a double purpose. They offer you the opportunity to be present even if you can’t come, and they give the grieving family some sense of comfort. As such, you can’t pick the first flower bouquet you find. If you’re unsure of which colours are best suited for the occasion, most florists will offer a standard range of funeral bouquets. Additionally, one last flower tip: Leave a card. The last thing you want is for the family to try to guess who the secret admirer is.

Saying the right words

Offering your condolences is an awkward moment for anybody who wants to say something kind and ends up lost in an elaborate metaphor about the magical beauty of life in heaven. Sure, you want to tell them that life goes on, but you should leave the typical “they’re watching us from up there now” off the conversation. Ultimately, you can’t force religious snippets of wisdom onto people, especially if you’re not sure there’s into that kind of stuff. However, if you know and understand their beliefs, well-chosen words from the Bible for Christians or from the Qu’ran for Muslims – if you’re unfamiliar with the Qu’ran verses, you can find some tips on Muslim Moons – can be a source of comfort. Ultimately, it’s about saying what the family expects you to say.

Is there a dress code?

Funnily enough, there is no typical dress code for funerals. Jazz funerals in New Orleans are filled with vibrant colours. As a symbol of rebirth, you’re expected to wear your brightest suit. However, more traditional ceremonies prefer neutral, dark shades. While nobody expects you to buy a new outfit to attend the service, the family prefers a strictly formal outfit whenever possible.

How long should I stay?

Finding the right moment to leave is a delicate balancing act. If you’re talking to the family, it can be difficult to say your goodbyes. Ideally, the softest and most effective way to leave the ceremony is with a comforting gesture. A simple hug can say all you need to say and offer you a short window of time to leave. You don’t want to be stuck in an awkward position where you’re not sure how to tell your host that you have to go home.

Funerals make us feel awkward because nothing in life prepares us to deal with death. However, keeping to simple rules can save you many uncomfortable moments, without mentioning that it’ll keep the grieving family happy too.

What To Consider When Moving Overseas

Moving to another country may be something that is necessary for many people for any number of reasons. The political landscape may be pretty dire in their country of origin, and whether or not persecution is something that action occurs there, very often a draconian policy can be prohibitive to many groups of people to work or maintain any quality of life.

There are of course other reasons that people move, it could be for a job,  to get closer to family, or it may be for reasons of pure wanderlust. Being close to friends and loved ones is vital for our health and happiness, and seeing and experiencing the world may be help many people to become much more rounded individuals.

If you are thinking of moving to another country then here are some pointers to consider before you take the plunge.

The Legalities

The fact of the matter is that family immigration is a complicated legal matter and is not something that can be done lightly. You will need to understand the immigration policy of the country that you are looking to move to. There may be requirements for you to hold a certain profession, or to be able to prove you have access to a specific amount of money.

Do plenty of research into the current requirements for an entry visa in the country you plan to move to. Find out if they are for an indefinite amount of time, and work out a plan for when that ends. You should also look into the countries relationship with immigration. It can be a hotly debated topic across the globe and the rights of migrants are in a state of flux in many countries. It is also worth trying to get a good understanding of the possible changes that may occur in the future of that country too.

Leaving Home Is Not Easy

You will have to leave a great deal behind you when you move to another country. This may include material possessions, but it will almost certainly mean leaving friends and family members too. Being homesick can be quite hard to deal with, and being thousands of miles from home may leave you feeling isolated. Think about how you will deal with this when you move. You will need to find new friends, but in a new place, this can be harder than you may imagine. This means putting yourself out there and trying to look for opportunities to meet with as many people as possible.

The Practicalities

Once you have arrived in your new country there will be a lot of things that you will need to do straight away. Obviously, finding somewhere to live is a priority. Get yourself a bank account set up so that you can start working and earning as soon as possible. Get a phone with a number that belongs in that country too.  Begin looking for work. Competition can be tough so you will need to put your all into making sure your applications stand out.

Early Meals

Skipping dinner is actually quite easier than I though it would be. As long as I go to bed at the relatively early hours of 11:30 pm and I have a nice evening glass or two of juice (litchi as it was for yesterday evening and today), a heavy lunch by 12:30 pm or 1pm and biscuits or something along with the juice at 7:30 at home and I can avoid a proper dinner.

What;s good is that I get the digestion done better and it is also makes me feel lighter, especially when I go to bed. I do not know how long I can keep this going and it is also only possible if I do a general shift (meaning starting at 8:30 am or 9:30 pm). The later I am at the office I will need solid food to keep me going. But I prefer this. I might try it again tomorrow night and anytime that I am doing a general shift.

Feels good, feels lighter and it’s not too bad as I do not feel hungry at all.

What Is Your Morning Routine?

My morning routine for those days or weeks that I do work a morning shift – like currently for the last week and this one I am working from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm – is very simple.

I wake up by the sound of my alarm, which is the Star Trek The Original Series Theme music by the way, and I try to wipe the tiredness from my eyes and then grimace as I get up outta my bed. Since I sleep in the nude I then get my undershirt and lungi from the chair where I sling it on before I lie on my bed. I switch on the light and then take s swig of water from the bottle that I keep nearby.

I then walk to my bathroom and wash my face and then take a piss. I then brush my teeth and switch my laptop on before I go get a cup of coffee. I then sit at my desk and drink my coffee while watching something on Youtube and/or doing a blog post until it’s time to take a shower and a shave. Then I get breakfast and change and then off I go.

Prompt from 103 Blog Post Ideas That Your Readers Will LOVE

Black Friday Sales

Black Friday is a very new concept for me. I work for a BPO that does customer support & technical support for several large US, UK & Canadian companies/corporates. Therefore I and several like became familiar with the Black Friday sales and we ofcourse have to support the parent/client company. Black Friday is an informal name for the Friday following Thanksgiving Day in the United States, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. I just find it so odd that the rush for sales on discount is done the very next day after being thankful and grateful for all that you have!

Am I trying for some offers? Yes now that I buy a lot from Amazon UK. I have been looking at some dvd box sets and I can see that some of the ones that I have been marking to buy are indeed part of the Black Friday discount. In particular a Roger Moore James Bond movie set, BSG complete series box set, The X-Files Complete series set and the Stargate Sg-1 box set as well are some of the standouts. I am keeping my eye on things and will see if I can get one or two of them. The X-files and SG-1 sets are what I want the most so I will try to see if I can get them both.

I just hope that the shipping doesn’t get affected badly if I do decide to buy them. I am going to avoid the last two weeks of December for shopping from the UK as they do tend to get lost in the mail. So I might place a few orders during the next 3-4 days.

Timbuktu

The National Poetry Contest had come down to two semifinalists: a Yale graduate and a redneck from Wyoming. They were given a word, then allowed two minutes to study the word and come up with a poem that contained the word. The word they were given was Timbuktu. First to recite his poem was the Yale graduate. He stepped to the microphone and said:

Slowly across the desert sand
Trekked a lonely caravan.
Men on camels, two by two
Destination—Timbuktu.

The crowd went crazy! No way could the redneck top that, they thought. The redneck calmly made his way to the microphone and recited:

Me and Tim a-huntin went,
Met three whores in a pop up tent.
They was three, and we was two,
So I bucked one, and Timbuktu

Arsenal 2 Southampton 2

Arsenal’s winless run continued as they drew against Southampton to increase the pressure on manager Unai Emery. The result leaves the Gunners in seventh, nine points worse off than at the corresponding stage last term, while the Saints remain 19th. Emery’s side, who were second best throughout, were booed off at the final whistle after delivering a disjointed performance which suggests they may struggle to compete for a place in the top four this season. Danny Ings’ early goal had put the visitors in front, with the forward catching the home defence asleep to race onto Ryan Bertrand’s free-kick and score with a right-foot shot from close range.

That set the tone for what was to follow, with the visitors wasting several good chances to extend their lead before Alexandre Lacazette turned in a close-range equaliser. The goal did little to kick-start Arsenal though, who fell behind for a second time when James Ward-Prowse scored on the rebound after seeing his second-half penalty saved by home goalkeeper Bernd Leno. Not even Lacazette’s second goal of the day, which came late in stoppage time, could raise spirits at the Emirates, with the forward appearing embarrassed to celebrate. Prior to Saturday’s games respective managers Unai Emery and Ralph Hassenhuttl shared the unenviable tag of being the bookmakers’ joint favourites to be the next Premier League manager dismissed. However, while Southampton’s dreadful record in north London suggested they could be ideal opponents for Emery to alleviate some of the pressure on him, things did not go to plan for the Arsenal boss or his team.

And until Lacazette’s late goal, his 24th at home of his 31 Premier League goals, his side had appeared likely to slip to a first home defeat against the Saints since 1987. That was largely due to familiar failings once again resurfacing, with Southampton’s pressing game and ability to bypass the Arsenal midfield clearly evident. They were also not helped by Emery’s deployment of a three-man defence of Sokratis Papastathopoulos, David Luiz and Calum Chambers. The trio were repeatedly pulled apart by the pace of Ings and Southampton’s 19-year-old Republic of Ireland forward, Michael Obafemi. While the introduction of club record signing Nicolas Pepe did at least spark their attacking play, they always remained vulnerable in defence and were fortunate to escape with a point.

2 Naughty Jokes

1. A man walks into a bar. Upon sitting down a busty blond waitress pours him a drink and asks if he would like some food. He looks up at the menu above the bar it says:

  • Hot dog – $2
  • Cheeseburger – $5
  • Hand job – $10

He asks the waitress, “Miss are you the one who gives the hand jobs?” She winks and replies, “why yes I am.” He says, “Well wash your hands, I want a cheeseburger.”

2. Dougall O’Reilly is at the pub one night when he climbs to feet: “I got one fer ya!” he says, “I got one!” The crowd quiets. “Here’s to spendin’ the rest o’ me life, lyin’ between the legs ‘o me wife!” It’s an easy audience, everyone’s half cut, and wouldn’t you know? He wins the prize for best toast of the night!

Another hour later, Dougall wobbles home and in the back door. He snaps a £20 note and presents it to his wife: “Mary, guess who won the prize fer the best toast o’ the night?”

“Oh, isn’t that lovely?” says Mary, “And what was this wonderful toast you made?”

“I said Here’s to spendin’ the rest of me life, lyi– er, uh, settin’ in church beside me wife.”

“That’s… nice, Dougall.” she says, looking puzzled.

Next day, she’s on High Street to get something nice for dinner with the wee bounty, when she runs smack into one of Dougall’s drinking buddies. “Hey, Mary,” he says, leering, “Didja know Dougall won a prize with a toast about yer last night?”

“I know!” she says, “though I was a bit surprised meself. I mean, he’s only been there twice in four years, and the last time, I had to pull him by the ears to make him come!”

What a Mayor Does

Every city has a Mayor. They are voted by the people at election time to be the figurehead of the municipal government council and oversee the day to day running of the council. But what does a Mayor actually do? There are many differences regarding what is expected of a Mayor as you travel from city to city, and country to country. And, depending on the particular city, a Mayor’s power may be stronger or weaker, say if the city structure has a council-weak mayor where the council has more powers, or a council-strong mayor.

We have done a little research and come up with a few duties that for the most part, a Mayor is expected to do:

Overseeing departments

As it turns out, a Mayor is responsible for many different things in the city’s government. Firstly, they oversee the running of the city departments such as fire, police, and housing, etc. The Mayor will be in talks with the heads of these departments frequently. They will discuss matters of the city, such as how to reduce crime and come up with plans and solutions. The Mayor is in charge of the transportation systems within the city. That means it is ultimately down to them to ensure that all the buses and trains are running on time. They are also concerned with environmental matters and are often promoting greener solutions, or creating zero emissions targets.

Planning Strategies and legislations

A Mayor, along with their councilors, will create long-term plans for the city. Including new housing developments, roads systems upgrades, and various other infrastructure. Due to the Mayor’s extensive knowledge of and understanding of the city, they are perfectly placed to make suggestions to the council on new legislation. It is up to the Mayor to provide information to enable councilors to make the best possible decisions for the people of the city.

Liaison with the people
They try to ensure that there are good relations between the people of the city, the government, and all the visitors that come into the city. The Mayor will often go out and meet people, Mayor Vauss for the township of Irvington, New Jersey, exemplifies this, he was voted in because he wants the people and the government to work well together. The Mayor of London, who is currently Sadiq Khan, has webcasts, so people are able to see what goes on in the life of a Mayor. He also has an assembly with the heads of his departments, which is live-streamed for all to see.

Economic developments 

The Mayor wants the city to thrive, so they will be leading talks about growth in the city and  attracting business. They are on the constant look out for ideas to bring investment into the city.

State of the City Address

In some cities around the world the Mayor will give a speech usually once a year to outline the state of the city. Within this speech the Mayor will explain any legislative proposals they have in place, and advise on new policy directions.

Busy Week With A Cold

So it has been a really busy week for me at the office. It’s really been a tiring and long week and it’s only been 4 days!! I still have to get to work today! Long days at the office starting from 8am. Oh man.

So we are starting a new business process at the office and we have some clients down here to help setup the new process. So from Monday it’s been long hours and going around the office from room to room and getting things done. This means moving from the 5th to the 6th to the 7th floor. This is really tiring and we also need to learn the new process while also helping out in the already established processes.

Tuesday I came down with a really bad cold that could have become a fever. I was sneezing so much and it was really bad. So I excused myself at 4:30 am and went straight home. I had some coffee and sat at my computer for a while till 7 pm and then watched a bit of tv before sleeping for many hours. I was well enough to come to work the next day. Both Wednesday and Thursday have been long work days – 13 hours each and it is taking a toll on me. I am so glad that it’s Friday.

5 Things To Consider Before Building Your Own Home

If you’re thinking of building your own home and don’t know where to begin then don’t worry, you have definitely come to the right place. With so many important things to consider before you get started, from the entry doors to the windows to the size of the bedrooms, it’s important you’re doing as much prior research as you possibly can. From thinking about your budget to choosing a location, the more you plan in advance the better. With that in mind, here are 5 things to consider before building your own house: 

– What Is Your Budget?

One of the first things you need to consider when it comes to building your own home is your overall budget. Building your own house can be incredibly expensive and if you’re not taking the time to work out exactly how much things are going to cost, you might find yourself hit with some nasty surprises when it comes to money. From working out the cost of planning permission to paying for a designer to come up with ideas, you need to ensure you’re thinking of everything you can. For a guide to setting a budget for your new home, you can visit this site here.

– Where Do You Want To Build Your Home?

Once you know how much you’re going to be spending, you need to think about where you want your new home to be built. Although you need to obtain planning permissions, the world is pretty much your oyster when it comes to choosing location.

– How Big Do You Want It To Be?

Another important thing to consider when it comes to building your own home is how big you want it to be. Not only will this help when it comes to setting your budget but it will help when it comes to any future plans you need to make. From choosing furniture to decorating your rooms, having measurements is the best place to start. For guidance in this area, you might want to consider talking to professional home builders.

– Who Do You Need To Hire To Help?

When it comes to hiring help, you’re going to need various different people to help make your dream home a reality. From a lawyer to help with planning permission to an interior specialist to help with the overall design, you may be surprised how many people are actually involved in the process. Do you need hire window experts? For a guide to hiring a team to help build your home, you can visit this site here.

– How Long Will The Process Take?

Finally, you need to think about how long the process is going to take and whether or not you need to make alternative living arrangements during the process. As you can imagine, building a home can take a long time and if you’re not prepared for that, you could face some difficulties. 

Are you thinking of building your next home? What do you need to consider to ensure it is a success? Did we miss anything? Let me know your thoughts and ideas in the comments section below.

Finding A New Career Online

With the traditional workplace becoming more and more a thing of the past, it seems that training is going the same way. For a lot of jobs, there’s no longer any need for you to attend endless hours of training classes for your new career, and instead, you can do this entirely online.

If you’re looking for a new career, then your first place to check should be the internet. Online right now is a wide variety of options for you to explore and find a new career even if you don’t have the credentials yet.

Blogging

Aspiring journalists and writers can kick start their careers by diving deep into the blogosphere. Blogs are nothing new, and they have been around for as long as the internet has, but with platforms such as Twitter and Medium, it’s easier than ever to get your work out there.

While your blog won’t grant you the necessary qualifications to be considered a “real journalist”, it can still give you practice writing for the web about subjects you’re passionate about. Nowadays, qualifications are not as necessary as talent, and with enough posts and articles, you’ll have evidence of what you can do.

Teaching

If you’re tired of your current career and want to start all over somewhere else in the world, online teaching courses such as TEFL, TOSEL, and Celta can help you get your foot in the door.

Across a 140-hour (on average) course, you’ll learn everything from classroom management to reward systems to different teaching approaches that allow you to teach English abroad. You don’t need a university degree in Education, so anyone can do it, and it’s an excellent option for those wanting to travel and work.

Online Education

It’s not only teaching you can study online, though, and there are plenty of resources that offer diplomas in all sorts of fields to allow you to enhance your skills. Your options range from coding to physics to literature, with all other subjects you can think of in between.

Again, like teaching, the online qualification is not as revered as a university degree, but it still gives you an idea of the subject matter and can boost your skills. Often, these courses are entirely free, too, so you can try as many as you like without spending a penny.

Real Estate

If you have a love of selling and creating a new life for others but are tired of the corporate world, online real estate training could be the next step for you.

With this, you’ll have the chance to study in real-time without quitting your job so you can still support yourself and your family on your journey towards a new career and unlike other qualifications, this can help you get a role in the industry as soon as you complete it.

Your Dream Job

For those short on time with an array of other responsibilities, obtaining new qualifications online is yet another example of how technology can help us reach our potential. No matter what you want to do in life, you are sure to find an avenue through a little online research and some dedication to learn your craft to give you new and better options in life.