Goings On

It is official, I will become a full time worker for Consumer NZ from Thursday. My leisurely hours will be gone, although it will be interesting to see just how my job changes. They are getting me to do more work behind the scenes verifying information, but I have already been doing this along side my usual job, but probably not to the same extent. It means more money and a chance to save for a car and get spending money for my trip to Melbourne.

Speaking of Melbourne, I have bought cricket and flights to Melbourne. The cricket is on Waitangi Day and we have tickets to the Chappell Hadlee match which is the second in the series. I am now hoping to get tickets to the Australian Open. It is on the weekend before the cricket. I am aiming high with tickets to the men's singles final and doubles final. They are released as part of packages in early October, then the next week they go on sale as single tickets. I am hoping there are some available.

We got second in pub quiz on Thursday night winning the prize in a tie breaker question. We guessed closer to the answer than the opposition. The most first class runs in an innings. The answer was over 1100. We have $50 to spend next week.

We played football today. I didn't play last week and no one has played much in the last 8 weeks. Unfortunately Capital Soccer has been forced to double the first round results because we only completed 15 of our 18 games. This stupidly took us from 3rd to 5th. They also miscalculated our results anyway, and you wonder why they didn't just double the first round result for the last three unplayed games rather than rendering todays game and most of our recent matches as "friendlies". Today we played against Lower Hutt in a friendly, so we changed our formation as some positions. It was hard yakka as they were young and fast. We lost 2-1, but considering we were playing guys out of position plenty, it probably wasn't too bad!

It is difficult to get motivated with so many matches postponed and I can't wait for tennis and touch to begin. This football season left me disillusioned, and I have now got the hunger back, and the season is over!

I am feeling old after football today and even around the office getting up and/or just sitting at my desk, I am finding more muscle aches and pains than in the past. Is the curtain slowly being drawn on my sports career? My derriere is struggling a bit!

All I Want For My Birthday is the Ranfurly Shield!

The day before my 30th birthday, the Stags challenge Auckland for the Ranfurly Shield. Auckland are at their most vulnerable in years. They have limited kicking options, their few All Blacks will be missing and they were one of the worst hit provinces with the player drain and retirements. They still have a massive talent pool to choose from, but it is not as massive as it once was! If Southland can get some favourable calls and keep it tight, using the boot of Blair Stewart, who knows what will happen? I think the Stags may match them for Super 14 players, but of course the difference between the Blues and Highlanders speaks volumes.


Southland haven't held the Shield since 1959 when they defeated Taranaki. I have waited all of my life and some for us to get our hands on it. If you think that 49 years is a long time between success, just ask Otago who haven't had it since 1957. Southland and Otago held the Shield between them for ages during the Second World War. In fact, I am pretty sure that Southland held it for about six years because of the war!

Who wants to join me to watch the Stags vs Auckland Shield Challenge at 2:35pm on Saturday 6th September? Stags Supporters United!

Roller Disco Party

I am turning 30 next weekend. To celebrate, the following weekend 13th September I am going to the Kilbirnie Recreation Centre Roller Disco. Meet at my place before hand if you are keen and then we will go and have a blast. Dress up in some classic 1970s gears. We will then return to my house for some witty conversation, Bledisloe Cup and most importantly, supper!

Check the videos above for what a roller disco is all about. They were big in the late 1970s (30 years ago!).

Birthday Gift Ideas

It is funny how when you are young you are always so excited about your birthday and what gifts you are going to get. Turning 30 is exciting, but not quite as magical as turning 5. Since most of my family live in Invers, it is difficult to get what you want via post. Anything big and/ or heavy is ruled out, as are items which need to be tried on like shoes and sandals, while tennis racquets also need to be trialled to find one that suits.

Without any further ado, I give you the birthday list.

1) Tennis racquet. I received a new tennis racquet for my 21st birthday, but since it was nine years ago, it is time for an upgrade. I am playing regular interclub and need the advantage of a new racquet. I have started testing some racquets like the Babolate Pure Drive used by Rafa Nadal and the Six One 95 used by The Fed Express, but there are so many variations of these racquets. The main problem is knowing how powerful my shots are. The other thing is that just because I use the same racquet as a top player, doesn't mean I will play like them. They use head light racquets which I am not used to. I may go for a Wilson Tour like Lindsay Davenport uses! I contacted Thumpsports and they are having a sale in two weeks. They are the cheapest in racquets anyway and have a physical store at Khandallah Tennis Club. www.thumpsports.co.nz

2) A red Wilson K-Factor tennis bag which holds three racquets and some gear. Also available at Thumpsports or on sale at Rebel I guess.

3) A can of 4 Slazenger tennis balls always go down well. Cheapest at the Warehouse. Not available at Rebel, but you may be able to get them online, or at Thumpsports.

4) Sweatband watch - I love my sweatband watch, but may need an upgrade. I love it!

5) Wellington Phoenix top.

6) Some money or Rebel Sports vouchers. I am going to Melbourne in February, so could do with some spending money.

7) Anything else would be gratefully received!

8) I am a big fan of retro items or clothes. I love Tim Muller's (Wellington) jacket. I am usually a large for t-shirts unless they are a real tight fit! I don't need a 1982 All Whites Biscuit Tin, but love that sort of thing.

9) I could do with some sort of sandals. My main problem is getting sandals which give me enough support as I have had foot problems. I am wondering if I should maybe get some made. I couldn't survive without my orthotics now, so would need sandals I can wear them with!

Redemption Revisited!

With one of the only few original survivors left at Redemption FC leaving, I thought it would be great to see a few more photos from the past. There are photos ranging from 2007, back until 2003 (our first year in an officially sanctioned league!). The flash trophy is the Donnies, in my honour (very humbling). Well odne Johnny Screech!

It seems that Redemption FC is heading towards mid table obscurity this year, but with plenty of encouraging signs for next year! With Luke Arkapaw leaving, it could just be Matthew Dalman left as an original. I don't think Phil Yates played in the debut season.

Some More Doubles

Building on my double vision, is Mason Ward and Brendan Haami. They both had mixed rugby careers for Wellington sides. Brendan Haami is more known as a Taranaki and Hurricanes halfback in the twilight of his career. Mason Ward's career started and finished for Oriental Rongotai. Good on ya Mase!

My other doppleganger this time around is Wallaby openside George Smith and the guy off Red Dwarf, the English comedy. This is more obvious since Smith got his dreads cut off!

Dopplegangers!

I'm a remarkably visual kind of guy. My senses are really open to what goes on around me. I always notice people walking down the street and as a result am often snubbed by people who didn't see me!

My other gift is usually seeing people in crowds or in other words, being visually aware of what is going on in social situations.

I also have a knack of noticing people who have doubles from other walks of life. It is a compliment to look like someone famous. Above are a few examples. Cam Trollope from The Street reminds me of Benn Robinson. The Wallaby prop had a try disallowed on Saturday.

Now one for the trainspotters! Juan Antonio Samaranch the former president of the International Olympic Committee was seen at the Beijing Olympics. It sparked my mind to go overtime, as he reminds me of the ironically named Young Mr Grace from the 1970s and 1980s British comedy Are You Being Served?

The Fake Olympics?

After hearing of what happened with the opening ceremony at the Olympics (computer generated fireworks and the dubbed singing by the little Chinese girl) I was a bit sceptical of the closing ceremony. It seems crazy that so much money is spent on this extravagance, when you could have a less extravagant ceremony and spend the rest on something worthwhile eg world peace. I was left wondering what was real and fake in the closing ceremony!

I also find it difficult how there are so many warm fuzzies based on the Olympics. By the end of the Olympics there were all sorts highlights played to heartfelt music. It was actually refreshing to hear of something not politically correct, with the Cuban taekwondo fighter kicking the referee. You can't tell me that there isn't sledging and name calling going down during different events, but of course this isn't shown on the coverage we get. I am also left wondering how many athletes were in the stadium, knowing full well that they have been taking performance enhancing substances. I guess the Olympic motto is "Faster, bigger, stronger" and stimulants are a useful means of achieving these!

These ceremonies seem like graduation. You have finished your course and achieved your degree or diploma, yet it isn't officially over until you actually receive the degree or diploma. It probably appeals more to the less sporty types like my flatmate Duncan who saw them as the highlight of the Olympics.

I Beat Everyone Has Always Wanted to do This!

This dude has done the thing that goes completely against what the Olympic Games stands for. Still, it is kind of refreshing for someone to go against what is considered politically correct! Every sports person has probably wanted to do this at some stage!

A Cuban taekwondo athlete and his coach were banned for life after Angel Matos kicked the referee in the face following his bronze-medal match disqualification.

Cuban coach Leudis Gonzalez offered no apology for Matos’ actions during the men’s over-80 kg (176 pounds) match.

Matos was winning 3-2, with 1:02 in the second round, when he fell to the mat after being hit by his opponent, Kazakhstan’s Arman Chilmanov. He was sitting there, awaiting medical attention, when he was disqualified for taking too much injury time. Fighters get one minute, and Matos was disqualified when his time ran out.

Matos angrily questioned the call, pushed a judge, then pushed and kicked referee Chakir Chelbat of Sweden. Matos then spat on the floor and was escorted out.

“He was too strict,” Gonzalez said, referring to the decision to disqualify Matos. Afterward, he charged the match was fixed, accusing the Kazakhs of offering him money.

“This is a strong violation of the spirit of taekwondo and the Olympic Games. The sanctions are the following and are effective immediately: Lifetime ban of the coach and athlete in all championships sanctioned by the (World Taekwondo Federation) and at the same time, all records of this athlete at the Beijing Games will immediately be erased,” said the announcer, reading a WTF release.

In his first match, Matos defeated Italy’s Leonardo Basile, then beat China’s Liu Xiaobo 2-1 in the quarterfinals. But he lost to South Korean Cha Dong-min in the semis to land in the bronze-medal match.

“To me it was obvious he was unable to continue,” Chilmanov said. “His toe on his left foot was broken.”

Matos won the gold medal in this division at the 2000 Sydney Games, dedicating the victory to his mother, who died on the day of the opening ceremony. At the 2004 Athens Games, he finished 11th.

Matos’ tantrum followed a day of confusion on the mats.

Earlier Saturday, China’s double gold medalist Chen Zhong crashed out in the quarterfinals after initially being declared the winner. It was the first time a match result had been overturned since taekwondo became an official Olympic sport in 1990.

Weekend Wedding Action

This weekend was a completely random weekend based around a wedding. One of my best mates, Matty Dalman came to town as best man for his longtime friend Aaron Maher. I met Aaron through Matty in my Dunedin days, but had lost contact with him for about the last 6 years. He is based in Wellington and invited me to the wedding. I accepted the invite as I thought the football season would be finished by this stage. The wet weather caused the season to continue past the finish date from last year. This meant that I was left with the dilemma of playing football for the first time in two almost two months or go to a wedding?

I went to the wedding and although gutted by the result of the football I missed (we drew to a lower team to miss most likely miss out on promotion), I am glad I attended see www.maristskins.blogspot.com

It was the first wedding I have been to that I knew such a small number of guests. This made it awkward at moments, but at the same time meant that I had to make an effort to meet new people. I hang out with Neelam, Matt Dalman's wife who was in a similar position. Our close friend was involved in best man things, so at least we knew each other. I also had met a good guy Nathan who goes to Equippers in Wellington. He was also in a similar position. It was one of the first times that being single sucks at a wedding. Most people there were married and/or over 50, causing the dancing to be a little forced. It means that you are kind of left sitting there while others dance. Very awkward! But because it was a small wedding and I was such an appreciated guest, then I am pleased that I went.

I just heard an alarming fact I just heard is that China won their first Olympic Gold medal in 1984. I am thinking that Peter Williams got it wrong, but if he didn't that is amazing!

I am gutted that the Olympics have finished, but it is time to go to bed earlier. There are so many warm fuzzy feelings from the Olympics, but I will miss the amazing athletes on display. The womens shot putters still leave me with nightmares, as does the Hungarian weightlifter. I am amazed by the physiques of many of the athletes, mainly females and find the history of heaps of the countries intriguing. I also love the way that certain countries are better at certain sports than other sports. New Zealand with our access to water are best at water sports, but also have done well at cycling and track and field. Eastern European countries and Middle Eastern countries are great at power sports for example and East Africans are long distance running specialists, while Central America are great sprinters. There are so many more things to reflect on, like how it is great being New Zealand rather than America. It makes getting a medal special, rather than just another medal!

Which Olympic Sport Should I Play?

I currently play some sports which are played at the Olympics (tennis and football). I need to make the Olympics to fulfil my dream of representing my country. Sure I could become a New Zealand representative in Scrabble or some other card game, but I wonder how I could make the Olympics or maybe even the Commonwealth Games. I am not saying that I want to win gold, because just being there is great, just ask Beatrice Faumauina!

I can't see me making the Olympics in either tennis or football. New Zealand has only one player in the womens tennis, and I am about 3000th in New Zealand. Since even our number one man can't make it, then I would be struggling.

Football would require me getting into the Olly Whites. Since I am over 23, then I would have to be one of three over-age players. Since I am not even playing professionally, I don't rate my chances.

I am thinking of minority sports in New Zealand, which may be big at the Olympics. I am not really fast, but have good hand eye co-ordination. Some sports spring to mind as potentially easier to gain selection. I need a sport that can be played at any age. Maybe I should aim for table tennis, archery or shooting. Some other options are waiting for other sports to be included in the Olympics. I know Ballroom Dancing has an outside shot at inclusion in future games. I am probably to big to be a cox and am not strong enough to be a weightlifter or wrestler. Ball sports are usually my thing.

I guess, lawn bowls would be an opportunity. I have played once before, but it is a Commonwealth Games sport.

I am too big to be a cox in the rowing.

What sport can a 6 foot 1 guy of average speed and good hands do? I am not strong, so no power sports!

Which Olympic Sport Should I Play?

I currently play some sports which are played at the Olympics (tennis and football). I need to make the Olympics to fulfil my dream of representing my country. Sure I could become a New Zealand representative in Scrabble or some other card game, but I wonder how I could make the Olympics or maybe even the Commonwealth Games. I am not saying that I want to win gold, because just being there is great, just ask Beatrice Faumauina!

I can't see me making the Olympics in either tennis or football. New Zealand has only one player in the womens tennis, and I am about 3000th in New Zealand. Since even our number one man can't make it, then I would be struggling.

Football would require me getting into the Olly Whites. Since I am over 23, then I would have to be one of three over-age players. Since I am not even playing professionally, I don't rate my chances.

I am thinking of minority sports in New Zealand, which may be big at the Olympics. I am not really fast, but have good hand eye co-ordination. Some sports spring to mind as potentially easier to gain selection. I need a sport that can be played at any age. Maybe I should aim for table tennis, archery or shooting. Some other options are waiting for other sports to be included in the Olympics. I know Ballroom Dancing has an outside shot at inclusion in future games. I am probably to big to be a cox and am not strong enough to be a weightlifter or wrestler. Ball sports are usually my thing.

I guess, lawn bowls would be an opportunity. I have played once before, but it is a Commonwealth Games sport.

I am too big to be a cox in the rowing.

What sport can a 6 foot 1 guy of average speed and good hands do? I am not strong, so no power sports!

TVNZ's Answer to Jesse Peach

TVNZ has an answer to baby faced assassin Jesse Peach, in Jack Tame. He is in his second year out of broadcasting school and is hosting the Breakfast show while the Olympics is on. He is the new Peach and is just as fresh faced. Jesse Peach is actually almost 25 and owns a theatre production company. His slight physique and baby face make him an obvious target for the critics.

I think Peach would be a good three years older, but still looks 15.

In this photo he is back centre, with David Farrier and Sam Hayes. Sam's age is a mystery as she did the same course as me at the Otago Media School but was a year ahead. She would've graduated from Wally Tech in 2002. She then must've gone to University, and was my superior when I went on placement to Radio One in 2003. She was probably only 20 when she was my go to person as a 25 year old!

No doubt Jack Tame will be back in his usual role as South Island reporter, when the cavalry returns from Beijing!

Other Observations

It seems funny how Tony Veitch has already had his life ruined, before he has even gone to court. The crazy thing is that no one had even mentioned the incidents at question for ages after they happened. I reckon the media are not presenting a balanced argument with their stories, basically black listing Tony Veitch already. Although I definitely don't condone any form of physical abuse, I think there is more than meets the eye to this one. If it was a simple open and shut case, why did the victim not want to go to the police when it happened? It seems that no matter which New Zealand celebrity is accused of wrongdoing and no matter what the result of court action is, their reputation usually takes a hammering. It will be interesting to see what happens in this case!

In another observation, I find it interesting to note the varying difficulty of gaining gold medals. I believe there are too many events in swimming and too many gold medals available. You would never see any athlete participating in the 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1500 metres and 2 relays and long jump for example getting eight golds in one games. There is too much specialisation required. Michael Phelps's record is great, but I think there are too many medals in swimming. The funny thing is in other events like rowing women's pair, there were only two heats of 5, making it so much easier to win than an event like the men's 1500 metres or the cycling road race! Maybe New Zealand like The Street at Sports Camp, should specialise in minor events, meaning you don't have to be necessarily be amazingly brilliant at it to win! Why waste time with sending road cyclists or James Dolphin in the 200 metres, when we could've trained up someone for the Modern Pentathlon or a woman's shooting pairs event?

A Tiring Weekend

I found myself showing some emotion when we won some medals on Saturday night. It had been a long time coming, but it makes it more satisfying when you hear God Defend New Zealand.

What a weekend I had.

Sports camp has come and gone for another year. Christians are so friendly off the sports field, but so competitive on the sports field. If the other team are giving it then I give it back. It seems that with sports camp, there are some teams who go along for the social nature of it. These teams usually finish towards the tail of the field. The Street are well known as being competitive and for some reason have developed a bad reputation. We always get the earliest nastiest draw on the Saturday morning. It is as if everyone hates the big city slickers. We just like to win, although this year we were down on power, with heaps of defections. Our lower position may hopefully mean there are other tall poppies to cut down.

We got a close fifth, but despite this we still won two titles. I was involved in both, with a win in the mens volleyball. In a non physical sport like volleyball, it is better to have the bare essential numbers rather than involving everyone (the Christian way). We also won the Sports Quiz for the first time. I played a big role in this. We also got a hand from Central Baptist who prevented the Frontline Guru from answering. I got one question wrong about the longest swimming event at the Olympic Games. I said 1500 metres, but it is 10KM. Aparently there is a new running marathon this year. Hopefully our mid table result, will soften people's attitudes towards us (tall poppy syndrome) and we can do better next year. Other highlights were the comradery, Doddsey brought his camera along! Some of us went into town (Paraparaumu for Burger King) on Saturday night. There were two full cars of us. We then went to my flatmates parents house and watched the rugby. This was fun, but awkward as we had played the Kapiti guys (Thom used to play for these guys and his brother still did this year). Our games against them were quite niggly. They were small fast guys who would love dishing it out, but when someone of my strapping physique returned the favour, they couldn't take it. They were actually on the seats in the lounge, when we arrived around. I guess what happens on the field stays there!

Other highlights involved everyone watching the Olympics together. There was a crowd of about 200 people watching the Evers- Swindell twins win gold. It was a great atmosphere. We also got runners up in tug of war (my guns got a good work out), it was great getting to know people from The Street, better and seeing some of my mates from Central Baptist who were there.

It was a winning weekend with the All Blacks, the Kiwi Olympians (2 golds, 1 silver and 2 bronzes), the Warriors, Stags and Burgess cranked a hatty to send Dunedin Tech into the Chatham Cup final.

I had a great time at El Rancho Sports Camp again this year, but unfortunately the same thing has happened that happened last year. My voice turned into tired voice by Saturday night and yesterday I found myself low on energy and seeking heaps of sleep. I went back to work on the Monday last year and struggled and didn't go back to work that week. I thought this wouldn't happen again this year. Low and behold it did, with my light wooden head feeling is back with fatigue. It is kind of like a flu without any annoying sore throats or runny noses. I will keep sleeping it up and drinking the fluids. Work has started getting busy, so I am actually wanting to get back in their asap if I can! I also know that there is nothing worse than feeling bad at work!

Don't Watch This If You Get Squeamish!

This Hungarian weightlifter dislocated his elbow in the snatch. It is painful to watch.

It is a reality check how difficult it is to actually win medals at an Olympics. Even making finals is tough. I must say that it makes New Zealand seem very small and insignificant when you see massive countries earning heaps of golds. It seems that many of our athletes are struggling with stomach upsets in Beijing. Hardly surprising given the conditions, food and pressure.

Mahe Drysdale is under the weather, while Moss Burmester has been. Our athletes will need to get used to foreign climes, because the next Commonwealth Games are in Delhi, India in 2010 and this will severely test their bodies!

I am frustrated by TV ONE coverage of the Olympics. I still haven't seen our New Zealand athletes in minority sports like shooting, yet I have seen the female gymnastics a few times and we aren't even in it. I also wanted to see the mens football against Belgium tonight, but we were watching swimming heats with none of our swimmers in them. Tonight we were watching replays of the female gymnastics yet afterwards we were only shown highlights of the womens basketball match we played against China. I think that if New Zealanders are in action at that point and time (especially teams) then they should be shown on television. Here are some other painful sports.




I have exciting times ahead. I have pub quiz tomorrow night and must also prepare for Sports Camp which starts on Friday and takes place over the weekend. There are also so many sports taking place in the world this weekend. I probably will miss seeing us win medals on Saturday night.

Sports Camp

I have started studying for Sport Quiz while watching the Olympics. It is the epitome of nerdiness, but that is what it takes to do well at Sports Camp. Last year the questions were variable and included the following.

What is the length of a cricket bail?

What is the length of the diameter of a discus circle?


Camp takes place at El Rancho Camp in Waikanae. We just lost last year and are hell bent on revenge (it is a church event).

FYI
A cricket bail is just under 11cm.

A discus circle is 2.5 metres.

This weekend is shaping up as one of the biggest in New Zealand sport, so despite being on a camp based around sport, I may miss seeing some of the smorgasbord on offer. The Olympic rowing events especially are on, along with Hyundai A-League, English Premiership and Chatham Cup semis (Go Tech!) all football. Then there is the All Blacks Tri Nations match against the Boks and the Warriors of course. Hopefully between getting stuffed playing sport and recovering, I can see some action!

www.elrancho.co.nz

Classic Olympic Moments

This was huge. John Carlos typified amateur sport back then. Sport can be very powerful! A little known fact is that an Aussie guy Peter Norman got second and actually wore a human rights badge. He also recommended that the black athletes wear a glove on each hand, because one of the guys forgot his gloves, hence the left and right gloves.
Dick Fosbury in 1968 changed the way people high jumped. That would be amazing to actually single handedly revolutionise a sport like that!


Of course there was Munich's disaster. I still haven't seen this film yet. A little known fact is that the wrestling referee and coach both saved several lives by taking a hit for the team and standing up to the terrorists.


I am getting nostalgic!

My Celebrity Niece and McKevitt's Farewell

My niece appeared on TV3 news, in a piece on birthdays on the 8th of the eighth. Her friend was having her 8th birthday and my niece is the girl in pink in the back right when her friend is looking at the candles on the cake.

http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/Todaythoughttobetheluckiestdayofthecentury/tabid/372/articleID/66278/Default.aspx?ArticleID=66278#video

In other news,

I went to a farewell party for Aaron McKevitt, last night. He is only going to be away in the USA for a college semester, but we will miss his ability at touch and sports for Sports Camp. McKevitt played in my touch team last season and had that x Factor, but was really unstructured initially. In the second half of the season he gained more consistency and ended up scoring twice in our final victory. It is a shame to lose one of the few talented sports people from The Street.

The party was unusual because initially there were a crowd of 20 year old lads from the Hutt getting boozed while over the other side of the room were females and myself from The Street. Did I mention I was the only one there over 25? Anyway, once a few guys from the Hutt left and a few guys arrived from Man Love Conference at The Street, the party eased in awkwardness. It ended up being good times, but I was left wondering if I have slipped out of the social loop of this one. The 25-30 group seems to have disappeared, and the active social group is now the 20-25 group and me. So at least there are still some people doing social activities!

My Celebrity Niece

My niece appeared on TV3 news, in a piece on birthdays on the 8th of the eighth. Her friend was having her 8th birthday and my niece is the girl in pink in the back right when her friend is looking at the candles on the cake.

http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/Todaythoughttobetheluckiestdayofthecentury/tabid/372/articleID/66278/cat/64/Default.aspx?articleID=66278#video

In other news,

I went to a farewell party for Aaron McKevitt, last night. He is only going to be away in the USA for a college semester, but we will miss his ability at touch and sports for Sports Camp. McKevitt played in my touch team last season and had that x Factor, but was really unstructured initially. In the second half of the season he gained more consistency and ended up scoring twice in our final victory.

The party was unusual because initially there were a crowd of 20 year old lads from the Hutt getting boozed while over the other side of the room were females and myself from The Street. Did I mention I was the only one there over 25? Anyway, once a few guys from the Hutt left and a few guys arrived from Man Love Conference at The Street, the party eased in awkwardness. It ended up being good times, but I was left wondering if I have slipped out of the social loop of this one. The 25-30 group seems to have disappeared, and the active social group is now the 20-25 group and me. So at least there are still some people doing social activities!

Try Hard Class

I went to watch the Southland vs Manawatu game at the Wellington Sports Cafe Bar tonight. It was quiet there, but there was a sense that this place thought it was better than it actually is.

Firstly my mate got refused entry by the bouncer until he took his beanie off. It was cold outside. Then we went to get food and wondered why the best tables had reserved on them. Those tables had their own television screens. Instead we found a table in the regular bar area and they finally gave us a menu. The funny thing with this place is that there seem to be heaps of females working there and heaps of them just seem to stand around doing nothing. A waitress came and took our orders. We then got the guy to change the channel to SKY Sport 2 for the second time, as he had initially changed it from SKY Sport 1 to SKY Sport 3. We went up and paid when the bouncer guy came past and said "Are you guys leaving?" the tone indicated he wanted us to. It could be a cultural thing as some of the touch referees we had during last season were hard to know the meaning of their comments. We then moved to the seated area where we sat in front of the bigger screen and that was when the reception cut out for most of the first half. Did I mention that they told us to move from a four seater table which actually had chairs facing the screen rather than the two seater one which they wanted us to move to. It is like they rated this place as popular and successful when it isn't. It is still a comfortable and quiet place to go to, but I think they always hope they will be busy at a later stage which never comes. There were always two empty tables with private screens which they wouldn't let anyone sit at. You almost felt that you were in the way. The people working were just standing around most of them.

The Stags won, so I was stoked, despite my experience at the Wellington Sports Cafe Bar!

On the way home I used my Snapper card. These cards have hardly taken off despite them being well publicised for about a month. This interesting person of sat next to me. I was unsure if they were male of female. They were a short island person with the beginnings of a beard, yet they had girly physical features. I didn't ask questions!

The TVNZ Conspiracy and A Sense of Nationalism

The Olympic Games has actually started, but most New Zealanders haven't been able to watch it yet. In a strategic move, TVNZ have only broadcast the Football Ferns and Olly Whites (New Zealand Mens and Womens football teams) on a Freeview Sports channel. This is an absolutely pig headed move from them, considering the limited up take of Freeview so far. More people have Sky than Freeview and therefore do not have to own Freeview, because their reception is improved using Sky Digital. I guess wealthy people may earn both, but people who are sports fans are more likely to rely on Sky than Freeview for their fix. There are of course still heaps of people like my parents who have neither, but very few people will have both Sky and Freeview. What a cheap shot considering they spend so much money getting the Olympics for every New Zealander to have access to, yet because football starts before the opening ceremony, they would rather not disturb Coronation Street or the F Word, for fear of retaliation.

The Olympics, like the All Blacks, bring a sense of nationalism and pride in the silver fern rarely outwardly expressed by New Zealanders. That is one criticism I have of New Zealanders. When you go overseas, you see people wearing their country's uniform, singing the national anthem with pride, owning their nations flag and being so passionately supportive of anyone representing their country. That is why I support the Stags in such a die hard way. The Olympics is the time for such a communal coming together of people from different walks of life as we aim for gold. Showing the Olympics on TV One is the way to do this, because everyone has access to it, not Freeview. Don't take it out on us TVNZ, we know you don't get on well with Sky, but this sucks for people with Sky like me. Luckily I can go to the TVNZ website to watch!

www.tvnz.co.nz

Fed and Muzza

The Wilson Six One 90 does the job again on Murray from Flight of the Conchords! I actually may have to get something similar to help both my tennis game and music ability.

Interesting Times

I went to Batman - Dark Knight last night. It was such an intense movie. We went in the Golden Lounge. It was my first time and one I won't forget. There are three ridiculously spacious rows where you can't actually see the people in any other rows. You get free (ticket cost $31.50) popcorn and drink (flat Pepsi range from dispenser). I grabbed five drinks and three popcorns. It was my only dinner, but I had to get my money worth.

The movie itself was long, intense and the Joker (Heath Ledger) was disturbed, but brilliant. It was his role, but he did really well. It is no wonder it probably pushed him over the edge. The novelty of the movie wore off on me, but I am not a huge Batman fan. I did fall asleep for a small part, but they kept adding to the storyline. It was a great movie, but over hyped.

I had some interesting moments during the last 30 hours.

I arrived at work to find 24 slices of toast on my desk today. It was a case of "what the"? I will tell you later.

I took Life Group for the first time. It was a piece of cake, and hopefully I wasn't too boring!

I saw the blind leading the blind today. A blind man being followed by a blind woman. Perfect photo, caption. It is a pity I didn't have my camera.

The sun was shining and there is hope that I may actually play football again this season. My fitness will thank me for it!

I have decided the concept of my 30th birthday party. I have two options though now. I had an idea of a certain kind of party today and stumbled across an actual public one of these taking place the following weekend. They have a better venue, but it won't be my party! I am working at combining the concepts. It is very exciting, cool and relates to my age.

Olympics Are Upon Us!

Original List: The 50 Most Beautiful Women of the Beijing Olympics

The Olympics is here! I am gutted that our Football Ferns vs Japan game was only shown on Freeview 6, which only a small proportion of the population have access to. Anyway, there are plenty of attractive athletes and there has been a list of top women voted by the punters. I am surprised by some of the findings, but I guess that it is different strokes for different folks. I am sure they all have great personalities too! A Canadian gymnast upstaged the usual suspect tennis players and swimmers!

I am optimistic about our medal haul, with rowing likely to yield us about 4 medals I reckon. We forget how hard it is to get an Olympic medal, because we had the Commonwealth Games two years previously and we are one of the bigger countries there!

What Not To Do At The Casino and Sports Camp Irony

This is not what to do at the casino, but makes for a funny story!

The Olympics is almost here and I am amazed that little publicity has been given to the fact that despite the Opening Ceremony being at 8:08 8/8, the sport starts before then. We have both of our football teams, the Olly Whites and Ferns playing on Thursday and Wednesday respectively. The men have the toughest job against China on Thursday night.

Sports Camp is a fortnight away and the irony of it all is that it means most people going will miss out on seeing the busiest sporting weekend of the year. While we are in relative isolation at El Rancho Sports Camp, the world will be watching sport on television.

The lineup for that weekend is Olympics middle weekend. The All Blacks play their crucial game at 1am, in Cape Town vs the Springboks. The Hyundai A-League kicks off with the Phoenix looking to continue their great pre season form against the Roar. The Air New Zealand Cup upsets will continue on the rugby field. The Warriors will of course show how they are their own worst enemy! I wonder what the sports coverage will be like? When we win gold there is always that phrase "Where were you when it happened?" For most people it is when they were named in the All Blacks.

Another paradox is the unfit sporty people. The terrible weather has limited outdoor sports like my soccer to one match in the last five weeks. I probably need another indoor sport, so I can keep fitness levels up. The crazy thing is, given my hectic summer touch and tennis diet, that I am at my lowest ebb of fitness when I need to be at my highest heading into this weekend of endurance action! No doubt I am not the only one in the same boat.

I am off to Dark Knight in the Gold Lounge tomorrow!

Royal Brittania!

I am a tad dumbfounded and confused. With the Olympics around the corner, it has sprung to mind, that people from the land of the Queen, are classified as different countries depending on the sport. This seems inconsistent and strange.

The cricket team is England and Wales. Scotland and Ireland compete independently. At the Commonwealth Games they are England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, along with Isle of Wight, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey etc. West Indies are separate at the Commmonwealth Games.
In rugby it is England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
In rugby league they are Great Britain.
In netball they are England etc.
At the Olympics they are Great Britain. Is this just to improve their chances of success? They already have a massive population, why do they need the help of surrounding countries?
In football it is England.

Does it depend on which countries compete in the domestic competition in that sport in England? For example cricket, I know some counties are in Wales, so they include Welshmen in their team. If this is the case, then why doesn't New Zealand compete under the Australian banner in football, basketball and rugby league (now netball).

But Welsh teams are in the England Leagues, but there is still a team from Wales. Is there a Wales cricket team?

If anyone knows why this is, then I would love to know!