This Never Happens At My Practices!

Training heated up for the World Champion Italian team when two females did an underwear streak. They are preparing for the EURO 2008 tournament, which I am excited about! This has never happened to me before, but is an indication that matches aren't the only places for streakers to gain notoriety.

Aparently one of them was Miss Venezuela in 2006.

Chokers Tag

I can't believe how we lost the second test against England. I believe that New Zealand teams don't have the mental aptitude to change their tactics when the brown stuff hits the fan. This was evident when player after player tried to slog their way out of trouble against Monty Panesar in their second innings and were bundled out for 114. Conversely England will changed tact. They used the heavy roller and moved their batting guard to outside leg stump when facing Vettori to avoid a repeat of the first innings slump against Vettori. It worked. Vettori was largely ineffective and although both Strauss and Vaughan continue to score slowly, it was effective. This was a far cry from the sloggers like Brendon McCullum, who only know one way. It is exciting and looks good, but it is not necessarily effective. Funnily enough we have a history of only batting well once in a test match. I guess it is better than not batting well at all!

The same can be said in other sports, where we have this unhealthy obssession with looking good and playing attractive sport. Where does it get us? It doesn't win World Cup rugby. Just look at the exciting style we used in every World Cup since 1995. We struggle with the top two inches when changing tactics and implementing these. Just look at Cardiff last year. We were never going to be awarded a penalty or run in a try, but that didn't stop us trying when the drop goal was so often an option. The ability to play low risk, but effective sport has its place. Just ask Martin Johnson!

The Rich List - Ain't Rich!

I got this letter from the folk at Imagination Television after I applied to go on the television show The Rich List. They make it difficult if you don't live in Auckland to be on the show. It is crazy as they are supposed to be Rich! With Cash Battle teams from around the country were flown to Wellington and put up in a hotel, yet the Rich List makes it as difficult as possible. Read the letter below. It is just so stupid how they only really want Auckland contestants. I guess there are fewer people needed than for Cash Battle. The late notice for Queen's Birthday auditions also stinks!

Hello Scott

Thanks for registering your interest in becoming a contestant on “The Rich List Series 2”.

In order to appear on “The Rich List”, you need to attend an audition. The audition is designed for us to briefly meet you, test your general knowledge and to tell you about the show. You must be 18 years of age or over and a New Zealand Resident. Please bring with you an original document that proves your date of birth - a passport, birth certificate or drivers licence are recommended.

If after receiving and reading this letter, you still wish to audition, please go to www.tvauditions.co.nz/therichlist.html and fill in your details with chosen audition time. To be registered for the auditions you must RSVP by 6pm Wednesday 28th May . We will reply via email to let you know your audition time and the location for the audition on Sunday the 1st of June

On arrival you need to go through a registration process. Be prepared to be at the audition venue for up to four hours, as much as we will endeavor to get people processed as quickly as possible, we cannot guarantee when you will be free to leave. Please bring along snacks and a drink.

Those successful at the initial audition on Sunday will receive a callback and will need to be available for a further audition at the same venue on Monday 2nd June. You will be informed of this before you leave on Sunday 1st June.

If you are selected as one of the final contestants, you will be responsible for travel to and from Auckland and your own accommodation for the audition, record and rehearsal dates. The show will be recorded in our studio based in Mangere. Although you are only likely to be required on set for a maximum of three days, please ensure you can make yourself available if necessary on all the following dates – Tuesday 24th June to Wednesday 2nd July. Your exact shoot days will be confirmed by the production company.

There is to be NO ALCOHOL brought onto the premises, and anybody under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be removed from the premises and not permitted to audition. The producers reserve the right to have anybody removed from the premises at any time.

Remember that this is an audition, please dress accordingly (smart casual is fine). We wish you the best of luck and look forward to seeing you on the day!

Kind Regards


The Rich List
Imagination TV

Exciting Poms? Yeah Right

As the deciding day of the cricket starts on day four of the second test between New Zealand and England, I hope with stick it to the Poms. It is funny how the England side were so confident at the start of the series and saw New Zealand as a warm up for the tour by South Africa. It mystifies me how the English are so confident and out of reality at their own ability in their main sports. This attitude seems consistent with both the England cricket team and football team. Their cricket team is solid at tests, but only average at One Dayers. Their Premiership is rated the best competition in the world, yet they can't make Euro 2008!

They interviewed Ian Bell this morning who lambasted the defensiveness of the New Zealand field settings. Yesterday we had fielders around the bad and they had a deep point in place. Ian Smith shot him down. I loved it and thought, how ironic. They bad so painstakingly slow, averaging under three an over in the first innings, yet we go at around fours with Ross Taylor, Jacob Oram and Brendon McCullum actually doing something the Poms don't, attack.

It reminds me of their rugby team. Ten man! It can be more effective than flashy play at times. That's why, when a Pom accusses others of being defensive and negative, I find it incredibly ironic!

Nurture or Nature

Is David Beckham a product of nature or nurture? I paid $100 to see him last year and this video is why!

In various parts of life I wonder if certain things are dictated by nature or by the way people are raised (nurture). After studying some Anthropology at University I am curious.

For example, my flatmate is a notorious finger nail biter and sucker. The world knows I hate this filthy habit, but I was amazed when this flatmate had her sisters to stay and they all sit around doing it, with that same style. I would say nurture.

I often am woken by the heavy brick laden footsteps of bare feet on hard floors. Some people sound like elephants even if they are relatively petite. Apparently according the my podiatrist, some people (like me) are double jointed so their feet move to absorb the impact with each step they take (much like shock absorbers). I wonder if it is like tongue rolling, whistling and ear lobes? It must be nature.

It is amazing how things are the way they are because you inherit a combination of genes and are raised the way you are. It is crazy!

In other news

Sundays are sleepy in winter as no one much does anything sociable during the day. The halcyon days of last year's bustling social calendar seem over. This has plenty to do with the growth of the 20-25 group and the demise of the late 20s crowd as they go overseas see The New Gang (previous post). I caught up with two old flatmates Bauer and Crouchy. It is funny how many people move up here to Wellington. Then I came across Chris Dodds. It is great meeting with someone so positive and inspirational.

Finally I read an article today at work from the Canvas magazine (Herald). It had an interesting article on people who do things in their sleep. There is a girl somewhere who for the last few years has woken up with having eaten heaps of junk food. She would always wake up full. This is terrible if you are an image conscious female.

There were even scarier stories of people having sex in their sleep. This has been used as a defence in rape cases. It is really scary though!

There was also someone who kept sleepwalking to busy roads with his brief case and collapsing while crossing the street, waking up in the middle of George Street, Dunedin. It was a fascinating read.
Some comment starters

Why is it that I have two highly elligible Christian female flatmates, but the main friends they have over are non Christian males. Isn't it their job to bring over nice single Christian females?

Is it possible to move from the friends basket to the potentials basket? How long is too long in the friends basket before you lose any hope of moving into the potentials basket?

Trip To Remember?

Are there any takers? I am looking at potentially going over to Australia at the start of next year. It will require plenty of skimping and saving. The initial idea was to go in January and watch some Australian Open tennis and the Blackcaps tour of Australia. This all depends on a combination of timing, ticket availability and costs. I will look into it!

The Australian Open tennis takes place from the 19th January to 1st February 2009.


Australia v BLACKCAPS Test series
1st Test, Brisbane: Thursday 20 – Monday 24 November
2nd Test, Adelaide: Friday 28 November – Tuesday 2 December

ODI Series
1st ODI, Perth: Sunday 1 February
2nd ODI, Melbourne: Friday 6 February
3rd ODI, Sydney: Sunday 8 February
4th ODI, Adelaide: Tuesday 10 February
5th ODI, Brisbane: Friday 13 February

My preference is probably for the cricket rather than the tennis, but they are both such top opportunities. Tickets for the later rounds of the Australia Open are really pricey!
Twenty20, Sydney, Sunday 15 February

The New Gang?

The social fabric of The Street is changing. It is funny how there are new social groups forming as people go overseas. It sounds familiar and I guess is typical of the way the world is moving. Many of the mid to late 20s at The Street are going overseas or furthering their careers in other cities. This means that there is now a similar gulf to what Dunedin has except with a couple of years older than Dunedin. My gang who at one stage did Salsa on Monday, movies on Tuesday, Life Group on Wednesday, Pub Quiz on Thursday and always something on Friday night is no longer pumping. There are still heaps of early 20s, but I get the feeling that I am getting to the older edge of the Street demographic! It is a great chance for me to meet new people though! You just start questioning your sense of belonging. That is why people usually have these groups. Mind you we still do the movie club thang!

Cheap Rugby Tops

I have found some bargain priced Air New Zealand Cup tops online.

Champions - www.champions.co.nz

These guys have last years All Blacks top for $70.

I also stumbled through an advertisement through Google Ad Sense

They have cheap Air NZ Cup tops.

http://www.rugbypostnz.com/

Both of these sites are New Zealand sites. You just have to get amongst it and support your team. When your team loses is when they need your support most!

Some Inspiration From Jet Pilot and Beware Internet Daters

I have been busy on the Internet finding all sorts of awesome videos and stories. Well done Stuff!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4556768a28.html
He's a pilot. A Huey pilot-turned-international singing sensation.



But Tim Costley never intended it that way.

Blessed with a quick mind and incurable sense of humour, the Ohakea-based Iroquois helicopter pilot ad-libbed a song in an Australian mess hall that has become an internet hit.

The inspired music video Jet Pilot burst on to You Tube and has since been viewed more than 140,000 times, sparking global fits of laughter.

But it didn't end there. Fans demanded more.

Costley, who likes to think of himself as "a duo performing solo'', responded by making Jet Pilot available for download on Apple's iTunes online site and set up a Facebook page under his new band name Airtime.

Like two bogeys dropping out of the sun, he never saw fame coming.

But, given his talent, it was really only a matter of time before the boy, whose musical prowess was shaped through Palmerston North's All Saints Church, found his niche.

Witty banter is his forte.

Costley said it all began in Townsville last August when a group of Australian fighter pilots asked him to sing a song about them.

"I consider it more of a documentary than a song,'' he said. "They're an easy target. But, yeah, I just made it up as I went. It's all satirical. There's always been plenty of banter between Huey and jet pilots. Unfortunately for them we're better looking and much smarter.''

On return to New Zealand he recorded the song on his computer.

But it wasn't until Costley deployed to East Timor that he decided to make the accompanying music video for 3 Squadron's Academy Awards night.

The finished "Oscar''-winning product was shot on a hand-held camcorder, dominating his spare time for a month.

Despite its brilliance, Costley said it wasn't made for the internet. An Australian comrade put it online and the fan base quickly grew.

It's even possible they might have more to look forward to.

Costley said he had branched out from "church music'' to "inner-man'' Kenny with his "sheep music'' inspired by the songs of David Brent.

Other titles he has up his sleeve are Yak Song and Give a Man a Fish, the latter a twisted political commentary on Africa.

He has also starred in the series Airwatch, where Top Gun meets Baywatch.

Now Costley hopes to use the internet to recover the $35 it cost to make the Jet Pilot video.

He gets about 30c of the $1.79 fans pay to download the song. "So if I get a couple of hundred people to buy it, I'll even make a sweet profit.''


Internet daters beware - witty emails don't lead to love, an Australian researcher says.


Too many people, particularly women, who go online in search of relationships fall for a clever line, said Queensland University of Technology (QUT) relationships psychologist Matthew Bambling.

They quickly formed emotional attachments to unsuitable people they had not even met in real life.

And when they did meet, reality could fall far short of expectations.

Women were particularly at risk of disappointment after receiving hundreds of hits a day on their internet site from prospective dates.

"It's easy to forget what is it about other people that really attracts us," Dr Bambling said today.

"If you've got 300 people wanting to know you, the one who makes you laugh the most, the one who's the cleverest and wittiest in their response, often makes the connection.

"It doesn't mean they are the right person by any stretch of the imagination.

"It just means they've got some great opening lines on an email."

Dr Bambling said he had interviewed more than 100 internet daters and hoped to carry out a large-scale Australian-based survey in the future.

In the meantime, he cautioned people to look before they leap into cyber dating.

"It's kind of like walking into a supermarket and you are surrounded by all these pictures of people."

People who posted their biographies on internet dating sites often sought to present themselves in a flattering, even deceptive light.

"We just basically create a fantasy about what that person might be like.

"But sometimes when people actually meet, I've had quite a few people say to me, `a little voice in my head said I didn't think this is what they would actually be like'.

"But because they had already made an emotional investment in the person they started going out anyway and it's ended disastrously, of course."

Dr Bambling says daters should meet sooner rather than later to avoid a build-up of expectations and emotional investment.

They should also keep the rendezvous low-key, such as a chat over coffee, rather than an obligation-charged expensive dinner, he said.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4555886a28.html



This means that there is a chance for all you Internet dating guys with who send great witty and sophisticated emails!

I am loving the Human Brain Documentary

I am sitting here watching the Human Brain on Television One. IT has such interesting information.

The ideal shoulders to waist ratio for a guy is 1:0.81. Guys should be tanned, be well travelled and of high status. Well mannered, comfortable with themself and take good care of their body!

People make their decision in three seconds at Speed Dating.

Men think about sex far more that women.

We are programmed to not find the smell of family members attractive.

But we find the smell of people of our target demographic the most attractive.

There is a great test for people who are homosexual. Get people to write down in a minute all the words (not proper nouns) they can think of. Do it several times over. It ends up that gay males can write down the most followed by straight females, straight males then lesbians. That is not all, gay males on average have larger "manhood" than straight guys.

With directions, guys remember go 100 metres then turn right 50 metres, while females use imagery like go to the Petrol Station turn right then turn right at the church etc. They also found guys go into fight mode when in stress and only talked 20% of words compared with the woman who talked more under stress 80% of words.

They got a random guy to ask girls on the street for coffee and only 30% agreed. 67% of guys said yes to the female. A similar pattern emerged for inviting people back to their house. Guys are far more willing to accept a good offer.

Guys tend to get really focussed on tasks, but are less likely to offer help. Females are far more empathetic (not apathetic!) to others needs, while guys are more competitive. That is why there are heaps of female nurses and teachers, while there are plenty of male builders and mechanics!

Life Update and Relationship Stalemate

My second favourite team make the semis!

It had been a few days since I gave an update of life here in Wellington. In this time I have done heaps of activities.

On Thursday Glee Club finished third in the Realm Hataitai Pub Quiz. For the first time in history we managed to get 10/10 in the last round Sports and Games to take the bronze medal $30 bar tab. It was an improvement on the last two weeks, but rewarding since this category is traditionally one of the toughest.

I caught up with some mates and we went to the Bristol and watched the Hurricanes lose to the Blues, but they ended up getting a consolation away semi final against the Crusaders who amazingly were beaten by my blokes The Swede Eaters from the paddocks of Southland and Otago!

I have two timed the usual fish and chip shop Leos for Fish and Fins on Riddiford and felt nothing but joy at my dinner on Saturday. Cam Trollope made me do it, but I am glad he opened my eyes to their amazingly fresh fish and hot dog. The chips are better at Leos. Both are within three blocks of my house. We took them out to Doddseys for a DVD. He lives in an isolated fraternity house with some guys from the Street. We watched Life is Beautiful and Doddsey started complaining about his hay fever flaring up. I was more honest as someone was cutting onions there. Cam had trouble with his contact lenses. OK it was a tear jerker, but unlike when Sammy Callander sang Rach the song he had written for her at their wedding I didn't succumb.

Some people went to the Italian cafe on Cuba Street. The people created a panini for me especially and I had a white hot chocolate. It was the best meal I have had in ages (14 hours since the fish and chips).

On Saturday I played football. I was stuffed by the end as we had no subs, it was hot, the pitch was big, I was marking a speedster who then got subbed for another speedster at halftime. It is rolling subs in our grade but two of our guys were injured within 60 minutes. We drew nil all though, which was rewarding given my teams lack of fitness.

I had a long (90 minute) walk with a couple of other people. It was enlightening and we came to the conclusion that there is a relationship stalemate where guys are too afraid of putting themselves out there/ coming clean with their feelings, because they have been hurt or shot down in the past. The only problem is that females often don't put out many signals or if they do, guys tend not to read the signals effectively and so nothing takes place. There is a relationship stalemate. It doesn't help that females can be afraid after being hurt before in the hunt for success and are weary of coming across as desperate (a turn off). We wouldn't have it any other way. The Christian pursuit of relationships is harder without using artificial assistance and secular sexual attitudes. Still, it makes the thrill of the chase so much more interesting.

Is there any truth to the saying "Females would rather not be in a relationship, than be in one where they have to do the chasing (rather than the guy)"?

It is late and my addiction to test cricket means I should go to bed since I have work later today!

Chatham Cup Round One - Redemption FC go down fighting

The plucky Redemption FC combination went down against Old Boys in Round One of the 2008 Chatham Cup, but by George, they will be back! From all accounts it seems like a match that was fairly even and it was probably the superior fitness of a team in a higher grade and the benefit of a few Southern Premier League players which made the difference. It still was a top effort by the Redemption Lions. Here are some quotes from the Soccer Otago and Soccer Southland websites!

Soccer Otago - Old Boys beat Dunedin fourth division side Redemption 4-2 in Invercargill, but the scarfie team competed well and after equalizing to 1-1 shortly after the break looked capable of creating an upset.

But Old Boys kicked on to clinch the match and earn the Churchill Rosebowl Trophy for being the only Invercargill team to progress into round two of the Cup.

http://www.soccerotago.co.nz/spl2008/rnd1chatcup.htm

Got it slightly wrong Rab, it was in Dunedin!



It is interesting to get the viewpoint from the opposition, the mighty Soccer Southland.

http://www.southlandsoccer.org.nz/allreviews.htm

Old Boys will have its name engraved on Southland Football’s Churchill Rose Bowl trophy for the second consecutive year as it is the only Southland team to progress to round two of the Chatham Cup following Saturday’s fixtures in the Soccersouth region.

All four Southland teams performed with credit but all four paid the price for a lack of fitness and endurance with three losing their way in the second half, and, in McLellan Motors Queens Park’s case, extra time.

Old Boys was never in trouble against Otago fourth division team Redemption from the time that regular Spirit FC player Hamish Low put it 1-nil ahead.

Although having only the one goal margin at the break Old Boys had enough possession to suggest a better outcome in the second spell. So it proved to be, but not before Redemption had grabbed an equaliser three minutes into the half.

Low put Old Boys two up minutes later and then a brace of goals from Scott Kiddey took it out to a 4-1 lead.

Redemption had the last say with a late consolation goal.

For Old Boys youngster George Hercus had another strong game in a good team effort and thoroughly deserved his player-of-the-day tag.

My Boys Redemption FC

It is brilliant being the big fish in the small pond in sport. I much prefer it that way around. The football club I started Redemption FC are getting media coverage on both the Soccer Otago and Soccer Southland websites. We are in the Chatham Cup First Round again (we go in it every year!). The beauty of it all is that we are Div 4 in Otago, yet two years ago got an article in the Otago Daily Times and our team was also written about in the Southland Times as we beat one of Invers best teams. This time around and Redemption FC again enters as underdogs, but have the potential to cause a boilover. The difference between Otago and Southland football is big, while I am now noticing that the difference between Wellington and Otago is massive as my Div 8 team would beat Redemption FC. Who cares though? Redemption gets media attention and prestige of playing for New Zealand's oldest trophy and version of the FA Cup. Fans show up, you get to play on the best grounds and you have linesmen and referees (not player refs).

I got this from Southland Soccer's website http://www.southlandsoccer.org.nz/allpreviews.htm

Old Boys will take a strong squad through to Dunedin for its clash with Redemption at the Oval. Redemption plays its football in the Otago fourth division.

The Scott Mackenzie coached Old Boys team is perhaps the one Southland unit that will go into its game as favourite.

Rab Smith at Soccer Otago writes

Demonstrating the spirit of Cup football, Dunedin side Redemption surfaces from the depths of Division Four to take on the ‘big boys’ each year. Today at the Oval at 2 pm, these jovial students will need their usual boisterous support when they play Invercargill Old Boys.

Naked People and Documentaries

Now that I have your attention I have started enjoying documentaries on Television One. They have far more journalistic integrity than the Naked News and are actually really interesting. Is it a sign that I am getting old? I love The Human Brain on Monday nights at 9:30pm. They had some interesting stuff about how often the mind plays tricks on us. They got people to drink vodka flavoured water and they all thought they were completely smashed when in actual fact they didn't have any booze at all.

About 1,800 stripped naked Sunday for photographer Spencer Tunick at the stadium in Austria that will host the Euro 2008 soccer final.


Tunick, who regularly stages such mass nude events, arranged his subjects in the coloured seats of the venue, having been told by organisers the grass was too precious.

The Ernst Happel stadium will stage seven matches of the Euro 2008 soccer championship, being jointly hosted by Switzerland and Austria next month, including the final on June 29.

They got football tickets and a limited edition copy of the photo for their troubles.

Wait there's more

A Malaysian woman woke up to a real-life nightmare, discovering that the naked man who had slipped into her bed in the middle of the night was a thief, not her husband, a newspaper said.


The 36-year-old housewife was asleep when the thief, noticing that her husband was fast asleep on the couch, quietly stripped off and lay down beside her, the Star newspaper said, quoting a police report filed in the eastern state of Terengganu.

The dozing woman's suspicions were raised when she spoke to him and his voice sounded strange, the paper said.

"She then went to another room and found her husband fast asleep on the couch. That's when she screamed, causing the thief to flee by leaping out the window together with the stolen items," it added

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4525263a4560.html

Why Sci Fi Nerds Shouldn't Drink! - Crazy Rumours

Two snippets here.

I am left thinking of random rumours from school or University that could be based on fact or complete bollocks. Some that I recall are;

Ravishing Rick Rude died in a car crash.
Mel and Kim also died in a car crash.
Put Telecom phone cards (early 1990s style) into the microwave on high for 10 seconds and they get recharged with money. From the early microwave days!
Jeff Wilson is gay.
Speedy won Lotto.


A man has received a suspended sentence for assaulting the founders of Britain's first Jedi church while dressed as Darth Vader.


Wearing a garbage bag as a cape to complete his Star Wars-themed costume, Arwel Wynne Hughes used a metal crutch to hit Barney Jones, also known as Master Jonba Hehol, on the head, the Associated Press reported.

Mr Hughes, 27, also attacked Jones' cousin Michael Jones, known as Master Mormi Hehol, and wounded him in the thigh, a British court was told.

Alcohol was a likely factor behind the assault, since Hughes claimed he couldn't remember what happened because he had consumed most of 10 litre box of wine before.

The incident was caught on a video camera, which the two Jedi masters had set up to film themselves in a light sabre battle.

"Darth Vader! Jedis!" Hughes yelled as he came on to the scene.

Hughes was given a suspended sentence of two months in jail and a £260 fine.

Jones' Church of Jediism, a philosophy gleaned from the popular Star Wars movies, was set up last year and has about 30 members.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4526413a4560.html

Share your rumours!

There's Still Generousity In This World

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/match_of_the_day/7395129.stm
Olof Mellberg, who played his last game for Aston Villa in the 2-2 draw at West Ham, explains why he bought shirts for Villa fans at the game. He bought about 3000 shirts for the away fans. It would've cost him a fortune, but he is probably not short of dosh. I never had to purchase shirts for the Redemption FC fans when I left. Mind you we didn't have as many fans as Aston Villa!

My All Black Team - We Will Look Towards the Future at the End of the Year

Two of my new caps!



With the All Blacks due to be named at the end of the Super 14, I thought I would get in early and name my IVECO Series All Blacks side. It is tough to know how the selectors will approach this with the exodus of top players leaving after either the Super 14 or Air New Zealand Cup. I believe we should aim for the next World Cup in 2011 meaning that some older players may miss out, even though currently they may be better than their younger counterparts. The other possibility is blooding players on the end of year tour!

Other talking points are the number of forwards/backs. I have gone 14-12. Does this means 3 locks and a utility? Specialist openside and Number 8 cover? Or are Masoe and Collins adequate cover?

I just heard an interview with Graham Henry and it seems that since they will only have 4 practices before the first test against Ireland, that they will go with experience. They will then blood players on the end of year tour! I have chosen five new caps. There are always surprises, so I am trying to pick which surprise selections will be made!

To stimulate debate, I will give the person who selects their IVECO All Blacks team 2008 and posts their team on here with the most players the same as is named by the selectors $20. In the event of a tie, the first person to post their team will win. The catch is that if I have the same or more correct then I get to keep the money! You can only enter once and you must live in New Zealand to get the money,

My team

Props
Tony Woodcock - definite
John Afoa - looking towards the future. The Blues front row has been dominant.
Neemia Tialata - can cover both
Greg Somerville - can cover both, I heard Graham Henry lauding praise on him in an interview. Just ahead of future players like Jamie McKintosh, Clint Newland, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks and John Schwalger. Also while Greg Somerville is currently good enough, he will be gone after the Air New Zealand Cup, opening the door for some of these youngsters on the end of year tour.

Hooker
Andrew Hore - consistently brilliant.
Keven Mealamu - is great off the bench. Corey Flynn is so close.

Locks - we are short on depth here.
Ali Williams - No contest.
Jason Eaton - Has been mixed so far, but has little competition.
Brad Thorn - Impact player and so strong. Is old, but has been given a three year NZ Rugby contract, so will be picked. Other options Tom Donnelly, Jeremy Thrush, Ross Filipo and Kevin O'Neill.


Loose forwards - one really tough call!
Kieran Read* - utility lock with potential. The next Reuben Thorne.
Jerry Collins - he may be leaving but is such a strong player.
Richie McCaw - no contest.
Chris Masoe - utility
Rodney Soioalo - no contest
There are potential players snapping at the heals with Liam Messam, Jerome Kaino, Sione Lauaki, Daniel Braid, Nick Williams and Mose Tuialii among the possibilities.

Halfbacks - four into two

Brendon Leonard - Assuming he recovers from injury.
Andrew Ellis - Possibly lucky on the back of the Crusaders.

Jimmy Cowan and Piri Weepu are ideal back up.

First Five Eighth - Two horse race
Dan Carter - Even if he goes overseas, it will only be briefly.
Nick Evans - It will be interesting to see if he is selected because of his overseas contract. Otherwise Stephen Donald will be called in!
Stephen Brett* - Can play in midfield and needs to be blooded slowly. Stephen Donald is too inconsistent, but could be an option if someone falls over!

Centres
Ma'a Nonu - At his blockbusting best against teams who don't expose his defensive frailties. Brilliant impact.

Richard Kahui* - A new cap with that X Factor.

Anthony Tuitavake* - Gets the outside back slot ahead of Isaiah Toeava. Tuitavake is dangerous with the ball in hand!

Narrow misses are Isaiah Toeava, Benson Stanley, Conrad Smith and Casey Laulala.

Wings
Sititveni Sivivatu - The only survivor from that campaign!

Leila Masaga* - The scoring machine.

Tuitavake can provide back up.

Fullback
Mils Muliaina - Mr Consistent and will be around for another year.

We really need to blood another fullback, but I fear we don't have much depth here so I think we will go back to Leon MacDonald initially.

Leon MacDonald - Mr Reliable

Nick Evans can provide back up.

* New cap

The Rich List is Back!

The Rich List is back and looking for contestants. It provides me with a chance to make it big! After being one night champions on Cash Battle, it is about time that I throw my hat into the ring again. The beauty of these shows are that there is plenty of cash and prizes up for grabs. They also place plenty of emphasis on luck so that there is a high turnover of contestants. They also like a good cross section of people, meaning that the there is always a chance to get on.

Cash Battle was great because it was a team game and because we were from Dunedin, we had to get flown up and put up in a nice hotel. The other contestants thought we were nerds for all having University degrees (common place in Dunners!). We won the contents of the black box, not a car or trips, but kumaras. I got my signed by Todd Scott, but by the time the show was broadcast on television it had shrivelled to a 3rd of the original size. I put it on Trade Me, but got only one bid. Jason Gunn hosts it and is a great character after he disappeared under dubious circumstances after being a kids show host with Thingey for such a long time. It was great when Thingey's eye fell off mid show.

Tim Gillon was on The Gong Show in the late 1990s. That is his claim to fame. That show never really took off, but makes him being a former contestant that much more impressive!

Corporate Box - What a Lifestyle

I finally went to a National Basketball League match on Saturday as the Saints beat the Hawkes Bay Hawks and I was there sitting in a corporate box. IT was my first time in a corporate box (although it was more some seats courtside and foot and drink). We were sitting behind the scorers and could hear everything going on. One of my mates had spare tickets and people had pulled out so some of us went along. Full credit to St Laurence. I went to a game at the Sydney Entertainment Centre in 1996 to watch the Sydney Kings play the Brisbane Bullets. I could quite easily enjoy the corporate life of plenty of food and a combination of any wines, beers, juice or fizz that I wanted. Awesome! They didn't have cheerleaders, but rather a teen dance group. One of the highlights was the wannabee dancer who was one of the mop boys who mops the floor. He would always be grooving when the music was going. In a timeout he then dropped the mop and pulled dance moves in the middle of a 2000 strong crowd. He was trying some tough moves and only dubiously pulled them off. There was a guy who casually played the music on a keyboard. He just looked bored all of the time playing the same music. Defence, When the Saints Go Marching In and a Come On the Saints in his limited repertoire.

The match report is below www.basketball.org.nz
The Century City Wellington Saints dialed up more home-cookin’ in the Dominion Finance NBL on Saturday night.

Behind 17 points from guard Troy McLean and 16 points and nine rebounds from returning former Tall Black Brendon Polyblank, the Saints improved to 7-0 at home with a 94-89 win over the Easy LPG Bay Hawks in round 11.

Wellington needed a late fourth quarter surge to shake off the Hawks in a game with serious playoffs intensity, avenging the 26-point loss in round five and improving them to 9-4 in front of 3000 at the TSB Bank Arena.

McLean hit 6-of-10 from the field and three treys in his team-point tally on a night when the balanced offences were the feature.

Polyblank shot 7-of-10 from the floor in his return to Saints blue after a season with BBC Monthey in Switzerland, while four other Saints scored in double-digits, led by Arthur Trousdell with 14 off the bench.

Wellington looked to have the game under control at halftime, up by 12 points after leading by as many as 18 in the second quarter following a 10-0 run to start the period.

But the Bay answered with Aidan Daly, who finished with a game-high 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting, and American centre Kareem Johnson to close within three points, 70-67, at the end of the third period.

The Hawks, who had four players in double figures, took their first lead since late in the first quarter, with 8:07 remaining but only held it briefly as back-to-back triples from American Ernest Scott and point guard Luke Martin, who ended with 10 points and seven assists, put Wellington back on top.

Crucical baskets from Polyblank, McLean, Martin and a final three from Scott, who had an off 4-of-14 shooting and 11-point night, pushed the Saintsationals to the W.

Johnson posted a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Paora Winitana had 15 points and Callum Baynes 12 points, six rebounds and three blocks.

Two scares but two wins for the League-leading Waikato Pistons in their South Island double-header, coming away from Invercargill with an 85-78 win over the Cartridge World Otago Nuggets.

The Nuggets, playing their second home-away-from-home game this season, led through the first three quarters, 20-15 after one, 36-33 at halftime and 53-49 with a quarter to play, before letting the game slide in front of a packed crowd at Stadium Southland.

Waikato, who remained a full two games ahead of the second-placed Saints with the win, turned it on in the fourth quarter, out-scoring the under-manned Nuggets, who also had Shaun Tilby and Brent Charleton foul out, 36-25.

Jason Crowe had 28 points, including 7-of-12 three-point attempts, 11 rebounds and four assists for the Pistons, while his import backcourt partner Brian Wethers dropped 20 points and forward Ben Hill snapped out of his funk with 17 points.

Otago’s two Americans, Lemar Gayle and Antoine Tisby, dominated their stats sheet, Gayle with 29 points and seven rebounds and Tisby with 28 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.

Dominion Finance NBL Round 11
At TSB Bank Arena, Wellington
Century City Wellington Saints 94 (Troy McLean 17, Brendon Polyblank 16, Arthur Trousdell 14, Ernest Scott 11, Nick Horvath 10, Luke Martin 10) Easy LPG Bay Hawks 89 (Aidan Daly 21, Kareem Johnson 19, Paora Winitana 14, Kevin Smith 13, Callum Baynes 12)
1Q: 28-24
HT: 54-42 (26-18)
3Q: 70-67 (16-25)
FT: 94-89 (24-22)

My Heart For Singles

Some people have a heart for missions, some have a heart for worship, I have a heart for singles and yearn to see them happy. I grabbed this from the good folk at Get Frank. It is an easy guide to Tell a Female You Like Her! For all of you females who view this blog, thanks Mum, it is what us guys have to go through to show the world that we are men! Unless you are Boss, because Boss is the man!

http://getfrank.co.nz/how-to-tell-a-girl-you-like-her/

Full credit to Scott Patterson


How To Tell A Girl You Like Her Scott Patterson

When you like a girl, it may be very hard to come out and confess it to her, so instead you beat around the bush by carrying things for her, walking her to class or home and catering to her every whim. If this doesn't give the girl the hint, you will just need to figure out a way to gain confidence to tell her. Here are some things you can do to help you along:

• Always be decent and presentable. Your first and last impressions are the most important, so before you approach the girl of your dreams, make sure you won't regret it when you look in the mirror later. Looks alone won't score you a date with her, but it will help. You will also need to be a good person. Be kind and understanding of what she needs and wants.

• Keep your confidence. Don't allow her to intimidate you and make sure when talking to her that you don't sound like a weirdo or stalker. This will definitely push her away from ever going on a date with you.

• Be prepared for whatever her reaction will be. You will need to calmly and coolly give her a response that will make her think good thoughts of you, even if she did reject your first attempt. This attitude may even change her mind.

• Practice what you are going to say before you approach the girl. Don't do it too much or you may sound like a robot. You want to sound genuine, so just keep in mind what you are trying to get across incase you freeze. It isn't important for you to know the opening conversation word for word.

• Don't have other people tell her what you are feeling. You'll get more points by being a man and telling her yourself. It's also better if you do it in person and not on the phone.

• Don't be ashamed of what other people may think. Who cares? You shouldn't.

• It is a good idea to wait until you two are alone to tell her how you feel. You can also ask if the two of you can have a moment alone now or later, this will begin the butterflies in her stomach as she anticipates what you have to say to her, especially if she already likes you.

• If you love the girl, say something like, "I've thought you were beautiful since the moment I laid eyes on you. Each day you are more beautiful and now, I just can't take it any longer. I need for you to know how I feel...I love you." It is important that you don't just blurt out 'I love you' without letting her know your feelings behind the expression. You can also touch her gently on the hand or shoulder when telling her to make it more genuine.

It is important that you are upfront a possible without being too pushy. Don't beat around the bush; you just may get the response you wanted, so why elongate the process?

Some Sites to Visit

Tonight the Qantas Media Awards took place with Consumer taking the prize of Trade/Professional Magazine. There are also some great websites and blogs which gained recognition. It is my dream to get one of my blogs to this status, but I imagine the following sites require more than a few hours a night to run!

www.idealog.co.nz

Feature Website

www.readwriteweb.com

Blog

Some other well performing blogs include

www.kiwiblog.co.nz

www.norightturn.blogspot.com

Stuff got the best Sports Website
www.stuff.co.nz

In other news My mate Chris Chang is off to France. After working as a Hawkeye operator at the Australian Open this year, he is off to France to do the same job at the French Open. It does require long hours, but it will be cool for him to go to France in summer and see the best tennis players in the world! I am officially jealous!

I Love This Advertisement

This Nike Advertisement is cool in 1st person!

Phobias and Dislikes

I have been trying to find the name of phobias and dislikes that a friend and me suffer from. I can't find any name for my phobia of adult finger and thumb suckers and finger nail biters. I find this habit unbearable and can not bare to be in the same room as someone undertaking such a practice. My flatmates unfortunately are obssessive finger suckers and biters, which makes life really tough. It is something that hits a raw nerve with me. It is funny though, because if I had a more orthodox phobia like of spiders, open spaces or public places then people would be more understanding.

It all stems from watching horror movies in 1992 3rd Form Social Studies. My teacher the drama teacher would make us watch these scary 1970s horror movies and there is one where a lady on the verge of becoming a vampire is driving her car and yearning for blood. TO satisfy her cravings she starts eating liver and sucking every last morcel of blood from her fingers with that sucking sound. Yuck!

I also watched The Human Body where there was an episode which examines bacteria and showed how much bacteria we have on our hands and fingers. The thought of eating it just makes me squeamish!

One of my other mates have phobias. One of my friends can't stand people with covered faces like masks or painted faces eg clowns. This is understandable as clowns can be spooky. I could only find the name of a phobia of clowns - Coulrophobia.

Some other interesting phobias are

666, number- Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia
Bald people- Peladophobia.
Body odors- Osmophobia or Osphresiophobia.
Body, things to the left side of the body- Levophobia.
Body, things to the right side of the body- Dextrophobia.
Bogeyman or bogies- Bogyphobia
Peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth- Arachibutyrophobia

http://phobialist.com/reverse.html

Facebook in Reality, Something to Enjoy!

In case you haven't seen this, it is so Facebook and it is almost like an in-joke exclusively for those social network lovers!

Passion in Christianity

We probably should be this passionate about our faith, but we aren't!

Stoke City got promoted to the Barclay's English Premiership and check out the passion of the fans! It is inspirational! There is more passion and emotion with relegation and promotion than there is at the top of the table.

It is funny, but we should be getting this excited about the Lord, but we don't. I know that if the Southland Stags won the Air NZ Cup or Ranfurly Shield I would be up and running onto the pitch, but am rarely as excited about God. Just a thought!

At Last Some Quality Journalism

I see that Lisa Lewis who was a bikini streaker at a Chiefs game has been given the job of news anchor when Naked News kicks off on Alt TV on Monday Night at 10pm. She knows no shame and in the interview appeared naked in front of the interviewers when it is only required to appear topless. She didn't seem to mind though. Needless to say she got the job and will fit it in between stints at the local strip club. Who said the news is boring?

I have decided that www.1-day.co.nz is addictive. I bought an MP4 player for $70 and then went to the sister site www.torpedo7.co.nz where I found Dickies for $40. This is not cheap by USA standards, but they are over $100 in NZ shops.

Finally I have decided that a sense of humour is a curse is searching for the love of my life. It is widely touted that a sense of humour is a grand trait, but my natural sense of humour (I don't even try) seems to have firmly embedded me into the annals of the "Friendship file" Mind you, it is great having lots of friends, anyway! Society seems to dictate that getting married is a sign of success in life, much like owning a house, car and stable job. I question that and reckon that it should be most friends (Facebook or not). Life is for fun and not just for settling down with a wife kids, dog, 2.4 children, respectable job and a place in the suburbs. I guess the only problem is that after a while you will have to hang out with people half your age because all of your mates are married, but it will be fun! Enjoy the ride!

So Many Bad Memories

I just love watching old cricket from Australia. This makes for interesting viewing of a tragic display of poor sportsmanship. Cricket is a sport full of etiquette and it was sadly missing in this case!

Trannies and Sexual Attraction

Here are some articles of interest to me. I find it fascinating how Ronaldo has fallen from grace it seems.

Police said they were investigating allegations by three transvestites that Brazilian football star and AC Milan forward Ronaldo threatened to harm them after he took them to a Rio de Janeiro motel.


Police told a news conference they were also looking into an accusation by the 31-year-old player that one of the three men tried to extort 50,000 reais ($NZ38,000) in return for not telling the media about the incident.

Ronaldo, who is back in his hometown recovering from an injury, left a nightclub in the posh Barra da Tijuca neighbourhood early on Monday with three call girls, only to find out at the motel they were men, according to authorities.

He then offered each of them 1,000 reais to wrap up the matter, but only two of them accepted his offer, police said.

"I have to check both sides of the story, the transvestites' version and Ronaldo's," Carlos Augusto Nogueira, chief of the police precinct investigating the incident, told a news conference.

"Ronaldo said he is not good in the head and that he is going through psychological problems because of his recent surgery," he said.

In a statement, Ronaldo said he was a victim of extortion and would take all possible steps to clear his name, according to the Web site of the Globo television network.

Representatives for Ronaldo were not immediately available for comment.

The three-time World Player of the Year suffered a career-threatening knee injury in February in a match against Livorno. Ronaldo suffered a similar injury in his right knee when playing for Inter Milan in 2000.



I also found this interesting on www.stuff.co.nz

The internet is a powerful and educational tool! Ronaldo must've found the trannies voices seductive, intially anyway!


Men are more likely to find a woman sexy at her most fertile time of the month, and the sway of her hips isn't the only allure, new research shows.


A study by New York scientists has revealed that a woman's voice is most attractive to a man when she is ovulating.

Donaldson for the Highlanders?

I am not talking about me with this headline. I am talking about sprinter Chris Donaldson.

League has given banned British sprinter Dwayne Chambers a lifeline. The shortage of quality outside backs in the Highlanders franchise makes you wonder if New Zealand sprinter Chris Donaldson should play rugby? Mind you he has his hands full training for the Winter Olympics. I got this off www.nzherald.co.nz

Nine New Zealand athletes will attend a training camp at the New Zealand Academy of Sport South Island's (ASI) Dunedin base to prepare a bobsleigh team for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Trials for a talent identification project across New Zealand, funded by Sparc, resulted in the selection of some of the country's strongest and fastest male athletes to form the team.

Although somewhat of a novel concept for New Zealand, there is a potential in the country to excel in bobsleigh given its resourcefulness and the calibre of athletes.

Project co-ordinator and three-time Olympian Dr Angus Ross said initial performances at the open trials over the last fortnight measured up to top overseas bobsleigh teams.

"The initial results are extremely promising and compare well with the data we have on the top overseas teams although of course there is a lot of training to be done between now and Vancouver Olympics for that potential to be realised," he said.

New Zealand snowsport and skeleton teams won medals and gained world rankings in international competition this year.


Forty one athletes fronted for the bobsleigh trials, and a further two tested overseas.

Performances were ranked on their 30m time, jumps and bodyweight.

Following discussion with German bobsleigh coach Gerd Grimme and bobsleigh pilot Alan Henderson, a New Zealander currently in the United Kingdom, it was decided to invite the top nine rather than eight to the training camp in Dunedin on May 24-25. Only one point separated eighth and ninth places.

Four of these athletes will then be selected next year to field a team at next year's world championship at Lake Placid in the United States.

The nine selected athletes include an unnamed Air New Zealand Cup rugby player.

The others are:

Tom Davie (Otago), 22. NZ junior long and triple jump record holder.
Chris Donaldson (Otago), 32. Two-time Olympian and second fastest New Zealander over 100m and NZ record holder over 200m.
Willie Trew (Otago), 27. Rugby winger and sprinter in athletics.
Mike King (Gisborne), 25. Rugby and surf lifesaving background.
Mark Keddell (Auckland) 33. Atlanta Olympian in 200m, NZ junior record holder over 200m, making a comeback after debilitating back injury in the 1990s, No 2 in NZ's all time 200m rankings.
Sam Higgie (Auckland), 26. Former NZ 400m champion.
Don McDonald (Auckland) 31. Former NZ representative at world champs in 4x100m, No 3 in NZ all-time 100m rankings.
Carl Condliffe (Wellington) 26. Former NZ national high jump champion.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/4/story.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10507133

I don't know the Air New Zealand Cup player trialling, but I am thinking it is an outside back probably from the Stags or Otago. Possibly Kenny Lynn, Ben Smith (either one) or Mana Harrison. I just think it will be someone who is quick and living near the trials.