Which Uptown Girl Music Video Is Better?

I was singing karaoke at a cute restaurant/bar in Quito when I realised that the music video for Billy Joel's version of the song Uptown Girl differs from the Westlife version I am familiar with. One is set in a garage and includes some workers wearing hilarious 1980s clothes including guys in crop tops. The Westlife version takes place in a hamburger bar called Blonde's and features some upper class British toffs. Both are quite funny videos, but which one is better? Both feature elegant Uptown Girls.

New Website - Travel and Lifestyle Magazine

I am proud to unveil a new website called Travel and Lifestyle Magazine which is where all of my travel stories will be published.  There is also the opportunity to share opinions on other articles on other topics like lifestyle and sports.  There is also the opportunity for you to share your travel stories.

Go to www.travelandlifestylemagazine.com !

Serena Williams Wimbledon 2014 Tries To Play With Virus

This is some of the most painful footage, but Serena Williams had to withdraw from the Wimbledon 2014 Womens Doubles after she had a virus. It is difficult watching such a powerful and amazing player reduced to a shadow of her former self. She can hardly hit or catch a ball. Hopefully this isn't the end for Serena Williams and she recovers fully.

Todd Carney Memes Hit Social Media

Disgraced rugby league player Todd Carney has already sparked an Social Media meme frenzy following his latest act of drinking his own urine.  "How kiwi's drink piss, how aussie's drink piss"

New Zealand Cricket's Lou Vincent Banned For Life - See I Am Lou Vincent Video

 Former New Zealand cricketer Lou Vincent has been banned from cricket for life for fixing matches. He gave this admission video called "I am Lou Vincent, I am a cheat". This guy had some real natural talent, but like so many of the Blackcaps of the 2000s, didn't quite fulfill his potential. It leaves you wondering who else was involved. The current Blackcaps are now showing what can be done by players who actually want to perform well internationally. Vincent is lucky to avoid prison time.  It sounds like an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.  It is interesting to hear a dog bark in the background.

Frank Lampard To Play For Melbourne City FC?

It has been reported that former England and Chelsea star Frank Lampard will play in the Hyundai A League for Melbourne City FC joining former team mate Damian Duff and Spanish star David Villa who will play 10 games for Melbourne City FC in 2014-2015.  We could see some big names in Wellington against our own Wellington Phoenix and the amazing thing is that some of these players are older, but not retiring just yet.  It is great now that there is so much money at the Melbourne City (formerly Melbourne Heart) team.

What do you think of the All Stars like Lampard joining Melbourne City FC?  Surely it is great for the A League!

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-01/frank-lampard-reportedly-headed-to-a-league/5561864

Dumb and Dumber To - Official Movie Trailer

The long awaited sequel to 1990s comedy classic Dumb and Dumber is here with Dumb and Dumber To to be released soon. It stars the original characters Jack Daniels and Jim Carrey. It looks funny, but I can't help but think that now that I am no longer a teenager, I may not find this movie as funny as I found the original at the time. Will you go and watch Dumb and Dumber To when it is released?

There was a prequel which was a flop around 2003, but this should be better than that, but I think that the standards of comedy movies may have moved on from those great gags and I would like to think that I have matured since the original. I will still go and watch Dumb and Dumber To just for old times sake.

Rik Mayall Dies Aged 56 - RIP

Eighties British comedy actor Rik Mayall has died aged 56.  This is such sad news as it doesn't seem like long ago that he was playing the role of the anal retentive Rick on the Young Ones, which was an epic show.  Mayall also appeared in some other classics like Blackadder, The New Statesman and Bottom.

He was part of a golden era of British comedians including Ade Edmonson, Nigel Planer, Alas Smith and Jones, Rowan Atkinson, Emma Thompson, French and Saunders, Monty Python and Hugh Laurie among many others. 

What are your favourite memories of Rik Mayall?  I loved him in the Young Ones in an episode called Bambi where they ended up University Challenge.

New Zealand Cricket Can't Field Xl Players - Remember 1988/89 vs India?

The New Zealand cricket team, the Blackcaps can't field Xl players for the first match of their tour to the West Indies and so will field a local player.  That would be cool telling people that you have played cricket for New Zealand, even if you are from the West Indies.  Players are mainly missing because of Indian Premier League commitments, this wasn't the case in Bangalore in 1988/89.

I am reminded of a game in 1988/89 between New Zealand and India at Bangalore in India.  This match was famous for the following reasons:

1)  Richard Hadlee broke the world record for the most test wickets claiming Arun Lal's wicket to get his 374th test wicket.

2)  The person that took the catch for Hadlee's milestone was Chris Kuggeleijn who become famous as he scored a pair in his test debut in this match.

3)  This match was also famous for New Zealand, because illness ripped through the team so much that journalist Ken Nicholson had to field for the New Zealand cricket team and so did Jeremy Coney who retired 18 months previously.  Radio commentator Brian Waddle was the next cab off the rank.  Not surprisingly New Zealand lost this match and the series 2-1.  Defeat in this match wasn't surprsing given they only had three fit bowlers in the second innings with the far from express pace of Ewen Chatfield spearheading the trio.

For a look at the scorecard go here

 http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/63493.html

7: Ken NicholsonIn the second innings of the first test at Bangalore, 1988, New Zealand fielded a three-man bowling attack – Ewen Chatfield, Evan Gray and John Bracewell – not much use when the likes of Kris Srikkanth and Navjot Sidhu are at the crease.
New Zealand had an interesting fielding line-up as well, including Jeremy Coney, retired for the past 18 months, and journalist Ken Nicholson, who now does publicity for Bowls NZ after his one and only cricket match for New Zealand.
Radio commentator Brian Waddle had the creams on as well in preparation should another player come down with the lurgy that had spread through the team like wildfire.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10561693

Cricket Corruption Scandal - Former New Zealand Batsman Lou Vincent Shares

Former New Zealand cricket batsman Lou Vincent has shared information with the International Cricket Council regarding allegations of match fixing in cricket.  This raises question marks over country cricket and international cricket and includes some cricket involving New Zealand teams.  It makes you wonder how many results and performances are legitimate or not.

This will also make Lou Vincent unpopular with some people in the murky underworld of cricket match fixing.  I hope nothing untoward happens to Lou Vincent.  Remember Hansie Cronje?

For further information go to

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/10832310/Cricket-rocked-by-new-fixing-evidence-from-New-Zealands-former-batsman-Lou-Vincent.html

Austria's Win in Eurovision A Good Omen For England's FIFA World Cup Chances

Austria's Conchita Wurst's win in the 2014 Eurovision could be a good omen for England's FIFA World Cup chances.  Austria's last success in Eurovision, was in 1966 which was when England won the FIFA World Cup.  Is this a sign that England will taste success in Brazil in 2014?  How much can we relate a bearded diva singer from Austria with the England football team?  Does anyone else find this act disturbing?

Should Captain America Be Called Captain Puerto Rico?

Should Captain America be really called Captain Puerto Rico?

Is There Room For De Facto Relationships in Church Membership?

An interesting case has arisen in the Calvin Community Church in Gore where a woman who has been a member of that Presbyterian church for 30 years has been told to marry or dump her de facto partner of eight years or no longer be a member of the church.  This might outrage some people, but I don't have a problem with it.  Although some people Christians and non-Christians may think it is archaic.

Any organisation has the right to ask a member to leave if they are not living in a way which reflects the values that the particular organisation, in this case a church, stands for.  She isn't being kicked out of the church and is still able to attend, but just isn't allowed to be a member.  Although given that she has been living with her partner for three years, it does seem a bit late to be asking her to do this now, but it could have something to do with the new pastor at the church.  Or do you think restricting the rules to church leaders is enough?

According to the Bible, God wants us to live as a husband and wife and that is why Calvin Community Church have their viewpoint.

The problem I have with some churches today is that they have moved away from the Bible and headed towards becoming too politically correct.  It is just something I have noticed.  I know life is different to when the Bible was written, but surely the Bible is the underlying truth that Christians have to live by.

Some things are open to interpretation and this is a rather special case with this woman in Gore, but I say good on the church for standing up for itself and what the Bible says, I think this doesn't happen enough these days.

What do you think about the woman in Gore being asked to step down from being a church member because she is in a de facto relationship?

The original article is here!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9986758/Marry-him-or-dump-him-church

What Is The Most Popular Birthday In New Zealand?

Who says that statistics have to be boring?  What is the most popular birthday in New Zealand?

Statistics New Zealand have done an analysis and found that it is September 22nd.  Obviously the Christmas/New Years babies are the most popular with most birthdays in a two week period in late September and early October.

Interestingly, birthdays on Christmas Day aren't very popular as it is the least popular birth date, although I have two friends with their birthdays then.  February 29th is the least popular and I know two people who have their birthdays then.  I am friends with some of the rarest people in New Zealand!

Not many people have their birthdays on public holidays.  I wonder if that is because some hospitals close?  Or pregnant women or doctors don't want to give up their public holidays for a baby?

For the record, my birthday is 141st equal, making me more unique than I thought!

This data is from birth information from 1980 - 2013.

How popular is your birthday?  Why do you think these birthday patterns exist.

To see how your birthday ranks, go to the link below.
http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/population/pop-birthdays-table.aspx