RIP Paul Walker Fast and The Furious Dies In Car Crash

Paul Walker from the Fast and the Furious movie series has died in a car crash aged 40.  It seems ironic that he died in a car crash given his driving ability in the Fast and the Furious movie series.  I assume this means the end of this series of movies which keeps pumping out movies.

He was a passenger in a friend's vehicle heading to a charity event.

RIP Paul Walker!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/9463577/Fast-and-the-Furious-actor-dies-in-car-crash

Trivia Question - Who Is Taller - Kim Dotcom or Stephen Merchant?

 Both Kim Dotcom and British funny man Stephen Merchant are tall and 39 years old, but do you know who is taller? Because Merchant is so lanky you naturally assume he would easily be taller than Kim Dotcom. It ends up that Kim Dotcom is actually 2 metres tall exactly while Stephen Merchant is 2.01 metres tall making him slightly taller. Maybe he was wearing shoes when the measuring was done! We all know about Kim Dotcom's background, but Stephen Merchant is truly dorky funny and maybe that is why I find him hilarious. He wrote and directed The Office and Hello Ladies and has been in both of those shows along with some other shows with Ricky Gervais. He also had a cameo in Hot Fuzz (in video above). If your answer was Stephen Merchant then you are correct! If you didn't know who Stephen Merchant is well now you know, and you will also know that he is taller than Kim Dotcom.

Anchorman 2 : Ron Burgundy Flustered By Dunedin 1982 Rhododendron Festival

In the lead-up to the release of Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, Paramount Pictures has released a 'historical' clip of Ron Burgundy becoming flustered in a story about New Zealand.

In the clip, said to be taken from the 'Ron Burgundy archive', the iconic reporter from the Anchorman films reads a story about Dunedin's '1982 Rhododendron Festival'.

He struggles to pronounce 'Dunedin' and 'Rhododendron' before warning viewers not to try saying the words themselves.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, the follow-up to Adam McKay's cult 2004 comedy, sees the return San Diego's top rated news team.

This time, Ron Burgundy, Brian Fantana, Champ Kind, Brick Tamland, and Veronica Corningstone face their toughest challenge yet - the 24-hour news cycle.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is set for release in New Zealand on December 19.

See the video here!
Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/Ron-Burgundy-flustered-by-Dunedin/tabid/418/articleID/323086/Default.aspx#ixzz2losoXAv3

Knowing God's Plan - Which Door Has God Opened? Is It Ethical?

As Christians, when we have uncertain times ahead we often pray that doors will open and new opportunities will present themselves.  I am a firm believer that God has a plan for our lives and that these are not necessarily what we had anticipated happening.  But if the Lord has a plan for our lives and new opportunities present themselves then how do we know if they are from God or not?

The Bible says according to Matthew 7:7 "Ask it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you".  We also know that Jeremiah 29 : 11 says "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

I don't want to give away too many details, but I have heard of someone who felt that he heard God telling him to buy a Lotto ticket.  He thought that this wouldn't be the case, but eventually he gave in and he won a major sum of money.  

What about when other things come your way?  The Lord does move in mysterious ways, but would God honestly tell us to do something or provide us with opportunities which some people in churches would consider unethical?  

I heard of a guy who was praying hard and studying for his test, yet when he thought all hope was gone of passing then the answers appeared in front of him the day before the test.  Would God open doors through unethical means?

What about providing a job for a Christian at a bar where they are serving the "Devil's drink"?  Would God open doors of providing employment for the unemployed somewhere like a casino or writing for a sports betting website?  Could these be God's intervention or would God not allow his children to be given opportunities that are of this world?  What if God opens a door for you to go to a foreign country where Christianity is illegal?  


It can definitely be difficult to know if something is God's plan or just a diversion especially if it is something that you have prayed about for ages and are seeking the Lord on.  

My philosophy has always been that if I am seeking God and a door opens then it must be his will.  Is this the wrong philosophy?  I have always been a bit sceptical of those who sit around while several doors open and close because they are not sure if they should walk through the door or not.

How do you know that the door you are entering through has been opened by God as part of his plan for your life?

Detroit Pistons Dance Cam - Dance Off Between Kid and Usher Dancer

 Watch this great "Dance Cam" footage from a Detroit Pistons basketball match. The action heats up when an 11 year old has a dance off with an usher dancer. It is pretty funny!  Who wins?  The kid or the usher dancer?

Which Laughs Do You Find The Funniest? Tripp and Tyler Laughing

This is a funny video which names the different laughs you hear in everyday life. We all know people who do most of these. The Cackler is quite common along with the Wheezer and my personal favourite The Splatterer. Which is your favourite laugh?

HRV Cup 2013 - Cricket Fan Takes Amazing Catch

Is this the best catch you have seen a cricket fan take?  See the cricket fan taking an amazing catch in the HRV Cup 2013 game between Wellington Firebirds and the Auckland Aces.

Can The All Whites Thrash Mexico and Make the FIFA World Cup?

Ricki Herbert the All Whites coach

The All Whites are rank outsiders to even beat Mexico in Wellington on Wednesday, let alone win by at least four goals to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2010.  The New Zealand team lost 5-1 away to Mexico and are now even at long odds to draw according to the TAB in NZ paying $4.20 and an All Whites win $6.50.

Coach Ricki Herbert has come under fire, but given some players are unable to play in Wellington picking up yellow cards in their last game, then he has had his hand forced for this match.  Old timers Ivan Vicelich and Leo Bertos would have struggled to make the starting XI even if they weren't suspended.  The ironic thing now is that we are playing with a 442 formation (rather than the more attacking 343) team that we should have played in the first leg.  We are also hopefully giving up on the old warhorse players who have been loyal servants but struggle to even get professional contracts these days and are starting with exciting players who actually have some great skills.  It is hard to know if we can get close to matching Mexico technically, but at least players like Shane Smeltz, Chris James and Marco Royas are more likely to create chances.  I think it is great to also give some exciting young defenders some experience in Storm Roux and Bill Tuiloma.

Sure the All Whites are paying $40 to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2014, but this will make for an exciting game and I hope we at least put up a decent fight.  If we get a draw I will be happy!  People forget that Mexico are far better than Bahrain were and we don't have any English Premier League defenders like Winston Reid or Ryan Nelsen.

It is a little known fact that in Ricki Herbert's debut as a player in 1980 the All Whites beat Mexico 4-0 in Auckland.  Could lightning strike twice?  If the All Whites can get an early goal or two against complacent Mexico, then who knows?  It will be great to watch either way!

What Women Find Desirable In A Man - Good Looks Aren't Enough Any More!

A survey done by deodorant company Lynx found that women like the funny guy more than the bad guy according to results.  The practical skills of DIY is the most desired attribute in a man, while athleticsm, machismo, wealth and good looks have lost their pulling potential which sucks for me!

What do you look for in a member of the opposite sex?  It seems that Hugh Jackman is more desirable than Sonny Bill Williams.

The Lynx survey found DIY ability was the most desirable attribute with 71 per cent saying "man skills" were important.

The complete guy is also financially secure (61 per cent thought this was important), great with kids (58 per cent ) and has strong general knowledge (50 per cent). He knows what he wants and is prepared to get it, but is in touch with his softer side; trustworthy (70 per cent), caring (69 per cent) and funny (67 per cent).

Conversely, previously desirable qualities such as athleticism, machismo, wealth and good looks have lost their pulling potential:

Cooking skills (44 per cent) triumphed over sportiness (39 per cent)

Brains (50 per cent ) beat sexual prowess (45 per cent)

The sensitive type (28 per cent) trumped "the body" (15 per cent) and "the entrepreneur" (4 per cent)

The "funny guy" (44 per cent) wins over the "bad boy" (12 per cent)

Relationship expert Katia Loisel-Furey said the modern woman's idea of a man who had "good long-term potential" had changed.

"In the past, qualities such as good looks, athleticism and wealth were the typical benchmarks for attraction as these indicated good genes and access to resources.

"Women can now look after themselves and that means they expect to see more complexity from their man. Long gone are the days when a cute smile, fat wallet and a hint of romance is enough to woo a girl."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/love-sex/9409008/What-women-really-really-want

Alexander Ustinov Beats David Tua On Points - David Tua Retires Again!

David Tua has been beaten by Alexander Ustinov who won almost every round and eventually won on points unanimously.  Ustinov fought a smart fight keeping a fit looking David Tua at length much like the great Lennox Lewis did all those years ago.  It was frustrating for David Tua, although he did look fit.

Alexander Ustinov won unanimously on points 109-119, 110-119, 108-119.

David Tua announced his retirement following the fight again!

I do find it frustrating how the NZ media always rate David Tua as the favourite and expected victor even after he has lost several rounds.  Ustinov dominated from start to finish and thoroughly deserved to win.

One Woman Dead and Hundreds Sick After Bad Eggs At Melbourne Cup

A 77-year old woman is dead while over 200 other people are sick after contracting salmonella from eating bad eggs at the Melbourne Cup at Flemington.  One of the catering companies has come under fire for this sad situation.

This gives me some justification for hating eggs even more, but I am hopeful that my wedding in a month will not fall victim to such an outbreak, but this can be difficult in summer when catering for large quantities of people.

I wonder if the catering company or the supplier of the bad eggs could get charged with anything like manslaughter?

My parents have always encouraged me to stay away from bad eggs, and this is definitely great advice.

http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2013/s3891358.htm

MI6 Spy Found Locked In Bath Inside Sports Bag Death An "Accident"?

MI6 spy Gareth Williams was found padlocked in a sports bag inside the bath of his flat and it is being treated as an "accident" by Police.  This seems crazy, but maybe Police just don't want to give away details of the killer or is it a cover up?  The only way he could have died accidentally inside a sports bag would be if he was testing to see if he could escape from inside a padlocked sports bag, kind of like Harry Houdini or Mel Gibson in Lethal Weapon.  The key when you are trying to escape from inside a padlocked sports bag in a bath is to always have a backup plan like a friend or someone who can let you out so you don't die.

This all seems crazy!  But it is a world where it is probably better not to know sometimes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24927078

Mexico 5 - New Zealand 1 - Herbert Must Go!

Mexico all but confirmed their spot in the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals after beating the New Zealand All Whites 5-1.  For some reason the All Whites decided to opt for experience which meant including two players who don't even have clubs and a couple of players who are a bit long in the tooth.  I still can't figure out why we went back to Ivan Vicelich who has been plying his trade in the largely amateur New Zealand domestic ASB Premiership.

Don't get me wrong, Mexico were far too classy, but for some reason we decided to go in with a negative mindset to not concede too many goals, yet we only played with three defenders at the back.  Mexico carved us up, but the marking of our defence was terrible and I am afraid the basic skill level of some of the All Whites was disappointing.  It is hard to know if the altitude or pressure of the situation took it's toll, but some play by the All Whites resembled Capital Div 9.  I would rather have a bunch of you players losing 5-1 and actually getting something out of the result, but seeing experienced players making rookie mistakes was difficult to stomach.

Why did the All Whites only have three at the back yet play really defensive allowing them so much space?  Why was our man marking so bad?  Why did Marco Rojas one of our better players start on the bench?  I know he had been injured, but surely he could have been subbed later on if things went wrong.  I thought that we actually got some spark from the bench which was good.

We really missed Ryan Nelsen and the injured Winston Reid from our FIFA World Cup 2010 team and it showed.  Maybe we can get away with only three at the back with such quality, but our back three were constantly exposed and found wanting.  I didn't see the possession statistics either, but we were camped in our own half for much of this game and would just keep giving Mexico the ball back.  This tactic didn't work.

Ricki Herbert has kept going back to the same old players if they are still available who were helped us do so well to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2010 and go through the tournament unbeaten.  The only problem is that these guys are older and most of that squad looked a bit sluggish.  Where are the exciting young players coming through?  It seems that we aren't looking to the future enough.  I would love to see Ryan Nelsen coaching the All Whites.  It seems that Ricki's ship has sailed after a long period in charge and maybe he has lost his mojo a bit.  Assuming we don't make it to the FIFA World Cup 2014 then I think it is time for a change in players and coach.

We must remember that despite Mexico's poor showing in qualification, they are a far better team the Bahrain was.  If we to have a realistic chance at making the FIFA World Cup tournament in the future we need to be playing an Asian team.  Uruguay gave Jordan a thrashing and that probably puts things into perspective.

I will still go and watch the All Whites try to thrash Mexico by a cricket score, a 4-0 win will do it, but I am not holding my breath.  I think we may as well through caution to the wind and play some exciting younger players in this game if possible.  We need a disgusting day weather-wise in Wellington and a bout of food poisoning to hit Mexico if we are to have any chance of qualifying, but at the same time, only at least a draw will earn the respect of fans.

What did you make of Mexico's win over the All Whites 5-1 this morning?  How do the All Whites improve from here?

How To Interact With The Introverted

I love encouraging social interaction, but sometimes we could all learn about "How to interact with the introverted".  Those introverts may not be the boring squares you thought they were just because they love reading!  

http://themetapicture.com/how-to-interact-with-the-introverted/