'High Pollen Today'

I've just seen an alert on my laptop that hasn't been around for quite some time.

It's March, by the way.

I usually get the itchy eyes, runny nose and everything else associated with hay fever in May and June. Not this early.

Coming to think of it, I've just recalled having to rub my eyes when I was outside doing the recycling earlier this week. I thought to myself back then that 'not long 'til Hay Fever Season'. Little did I know it would hit sooner than even I had envisioned (with my blurry eyes). 

'BAM - It's Time..'

Even though I know when it takes place, the Cheltenham Festival always finds its way to sneak up on me. 

I suppose it could be because it's the first sporting event I care about to pop up following the Super Bowl. I find myself in the post-season lull and then - BAM - it's time for Cheltenham.

This year's meeting takes place from Tuesday 10 March through to Friday. 

I haven't done any research at all for this year. There's a reason why. That'll become clear in Tuesday's post.

Today's Task

My task, for the start of the day, has been to check out new tumble dryers and washing machines.

I'll tell you this: it's a pain in the buttocks.

I have no idea whether the ones I am looking at will be able to stack up together. And other things.

I am looking to move away from the usual brand we use for these appliances - Hoover. I'm getting to the point where I feel that I might just stick with them.

You know that saying about better the devil you know? At least I know I can stack those together!

Reaching The Fortress

I have finally reached the first checkpoint in my preparations for the 2026 edition of Taylor's Pro Football Gambling Annual.

It has been a slow process because I want to try and make everything perfect before I have to go through the editing stages further on down the line.

The part I completed today took me almost two months. I have a lot left to do but it feels like I've battled my way through the forest and have now reached the fortress. 

I have to get my way up to the top of the figurative landmark. It won't take as long as it took to get through the figurative forest, but it'll be more challenging.

Demolition Announced For The WWE Hall Of Fame, Enters Class Of 2026

Hell has once again frozen over in regards to the WWE Hall of Fame.

It was revealed today that the infamous tag team from the 1980s and early-90s - Demolition - is set to be inducted into the company's Hall of Fame during WrestleMania Week.

WWE announced the news today. As well as that, a video of The Undertaker informing both Ax and Smash of the news via a video conference was published on social media channels.

It's big news because Ax, real name Bill Eadie, has been on the outs with WWF/E since 1990. He had been in a couple of lawsuits directed towards the company across those multiple decades.

Demolition was a big part of WWF's tag team division during the bottom half of the company's initial boom period. 

Wearing studded leather and face paint, they were WWF's version of The Road Warriors - a popular tag team from companies the WWF was in competition with. The teams would eventually feud when Hawk and Animal, then going by the name of The Legion of Doom, entered the WWF in 1990.

In my opinion, it was the signing of Hawk and Animal which made the team of Demolition redundant considering how similar the two acts were.

As I stated, there was tension between the company and Bill Eadie (Ax) which got in the way of either party doing business together, aside from merchandising, from late 1990 through to today.

There's no word on whether Crush (Brian Adams), who was introduced as a third Demolition member in 1990, will be part of this induction. Adams' time in the team was short-lived but he's still part of Demolition's WWF story. I surmise, going by the press release, that only Ax (Eadie) and Smash (Barry Darsow) will be inducted as a pair. With that stated, Randy Colley was the original Smash in the unit. He only lasted a short time in that role before Darsow took over.

Adams and Colley are no longer with us with Adams passing away in 2007 and Colley dying in 2019.

Demolition will join Stephanie McMahon and AJ Styles who have already been revealed as members of the Hall of Fame's Class of 2026. The ceremony is scheduled for April 17th at Dolby Live at the Park MGM in Paradise, Nevada.

The One When I Write About McDonald's Friends Gimmick

Tasting KFC's new Cheesy Melt Burger wasn't the only interaction I had with limited edition products from fast food establishments in recent weeks. A little under a fortnight ago, I had a McDonald's meal which included a figure of one of the characters from Friends.

I'll share images of the statue below. First I have to ask.

Why? Why Friends? Why now?

I was alive during the American sitcom's peak, so I understand how big Friends was back in the day. I am also aware it still gets repeated even to this very day. It simply seems a bit surreal for McDonald's to run promotions about the series so far since it was 'new'.

Wouldn't it be like McDonald's running a MASH promotion in 2005 or something? 

The takeaway bags have Friends imagery on them. See immediately below:

I ordered a box of the new pizza mozzarella dippers They were nice. They came in a Friends-themed box. I also had a dip called Monica's Marinara to dip the sticks into. I surmise Monica is a chef or something in the series.

I was given free chicken nuggets as well (okay, Chicken McNuggets!). They came in a box with a caricature of Joey on the packaging. I guess he didn't share food with people in the programme.

I had a Big Mac meal. The characters come in meals including that burger as well as ones with 9 McNuggets and the McPlant burger. 

Here's what the box looked like from one of its sides:

Inside was:

David Schwimmer's character of Ross. Oh, and a monkey. I did some research and the monkey's name is Marcel.

I've had a look on eBay. People are apparently bidding on these things. That's interesting. I suppose it covers a lot of ground with fans of the programme (it was huge) wanting to get all the characters. And then you have collectors of memorabilia looking for complete sets. 

I still don't get why now. But I get why the company chose Friends.

A KFC Double

If you read yesterday's post, you would have seen I tried KFC's latest chicken burger - the Cheesy Melt.

Well, how's this for pure coincidence: last night's episode of Smackdown aired from Kentucky's arena which is named... KFC Center!

I chose the most opportune day to have picked KFC.

You can read about my enjoyment of the limited edition meal by following this link.