An Unpredictable Cricket X1

This is compiled by current Blackcap Iain O'Brien and very interesting!

Entertainment Review - The Boy in Stripped Pajamas

As part of my the development of my blog as a reputable source I have decided to add a weekly review of some form of entertainment. Last weekend I went to the movies and saw The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas. The name of this movie intrigues me, since I have grown up wearing stripped pjs. I had it lucky as a kid compared to this movie.

It takes place during World War 2 in Nazi Germany and is a tale through the eyes of Bruno, the youngest of two children of a high up German soldier. The family moves to near an army camp and this is the tale of a boy who loves adventure. The characters have British accents which is funny, but the movie is anything but funny as it deals with life and death of Jews during the war. Bruno adds some light heartedness with his mischievious nature. I am not giving much away about this movie as it could ruin it. I saw four people leave when watching this, possibly frustrated by the Nazi Germany arrogance/stupidity or maybe they had another more pressing engagement. This was slice of life and I found it interesting. It doesn't drag on and it seems to end abruptly with crowd members wondering what happened next.

Anyway I would give it 7/10 after earlier giving it 6.5 stars. If you like war time movies then this is worth a watch!

This Happens To The Pros and Could Happen in Wellington

Football starts this weekend for me as the team I manage (Marist Skins) take on the Petone formerly JJs at Kilbirnie Park at 12:30pm. We have added some spark from last year as the older team members slowly hang up the boots making way for newbies to take over the mantle. I have no doubt that this will happen somewhere around Wellington this season. Polish keeper Artur Boruc did nothing to enhance his reputation against Northern Ireland. It is similar to English keeper Paul Robinson's gaffe against Croatia, but not as bad as the ball boggled uncontrollably higher and this match was a friendly compared with the pressure cooker England vs Croatia in 2006. Given the state of the capital's football fields, this is not beyond the realms of possiblity and hopefully we are not on the receiving end.

A Night At the Opera for the Cost of a few posts!

I paid my way to the opera The Cunning Little Vixen using funds earned through blogging. This was done accidentially, but made it far more satisfying when I actually felt inspired after seeing a different side of Matty Landreth last night. I signed up to www.payperpost.com I earned the money doing posts for random websites. The money is put into Pay Pal and I had forgot about it. I had $22 US just sitting there when I went to get my opera ticket and when I signed in, it automatically paid enough for my $36.50 ticket.

It was amazing at the opera the way these people burst out in song and despite being inaudible at times, I managed to kind of figure out what was going on. Sure there were some animals which were unrecognisable and two females kissing as vixen and fox, but it was a different side of culture that I had never experienced. I went with the Loveshack and Doddsey which seems to be the group I belong to these days as they are great value.

We went back to the girls' house for tea and chockies and it brought the end to a great night of entertainment.

Saturday dawned fine and I had decided with the encouragement of a friend to attend the brunch in Kingston. For the first time, there were more girls than guys and this was ironic given that it is an all male flat, but most of the flatties were away. It was a good chance to socialise on a sunny Wellington day.

I then attended the Kilbirnie Club Tennis Champs. I spent plenty of time waiting around, but this is the norm at such an event where availability of courts and players are sporadic. I thrived in two matches of singles and have made the quarter finals for both doubles and singles. We are the 3rd seeds in the doubles. I didn't have it all my own way in the singles with a poor start against my opponent in the second match. I have resorted to more serve and volley in recent times in an attempt to mix things up and make the most of my reach. Bring on Sunday afternoon!

Afterwards I met up with my brother and we had dinner at Sportscafe which is pretty laid back and responsibly priced pub meals. I found the food brilliant here. I loved watching my boys the Highlanders win in Palmerston North. Good on you Highlanders! The Stags in the team are standing up! They are the Mighty Ducks of the competition. I also would like to thank the good folk of the Highlanders committee with Richard Reid the former blockbusting opening batsmen at the helm who are doing wonders down there, given how the previous hierarchy (Russell Gray) made the franchise go under. Thanks to the Palmy folks too!

I went and saw The Boy in Striped Pajamas. It is the first movie in ages that four people have walked out of halfway through. I am unsure why. Were they Jewish? Did they have a pressing engagement elsewhere? Did they find it boring? I found it good and a bit sad, but I wasn't crying and it was about 6.5/10. I bit of a twist at the end (I won't spill the beans!).

Even Salman Rushdie Supports The Stags!

Some people are of the opinion that us Southland Stags supporters are patriotic. Salman Rushdie was approached recently and signed a rugby jersey of University of Otago social grade team Satanic Verses. There is an obvious connection between the rugby team who are made up of expat Southlanders and the author of the controversial book The Satanic Verses which went down like a lead balloon with muslims.

It is great that one former member of Satanic Verses rugby team got Salman Rushdie to sign his jersey and also write "Go the Stags!" on the jersey. It seems that our passion for the Stags is worldwide and based on years of growing up in the small and cold Southland province. Southland has for years been the whipping boys of New Zealand rugby, but Southlanders tend to have a spark, personality, hopes and dreams of rugby domination. It is funny how people tend to love a place more when they are not living there. It is like that with Southland. You forget about the cold, empty city of only 50,000 people where there are some interesting characters attracted by free education and cheap housing. Instead you remember the nostalgic days of a laid back city. There was always open green parks and no one was in a hurry. Everyone was friendly and you and your family would go for outings as it was so easy to get around with so little traffic. The Stags take a piece of that spirit with them. They are unfashionable, but likeable and down to earth much like Southland. That my friends is why someone went up to Salman Rushdie and got him to write "Go the Stags!" on their top! Here is a link to the Southland Times article

http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/2295041/Salman-Rushdies-message-go-the-Stags

Cunning Little Landreth

Here is some Landreth magic from yesteryear!

My mate Matty Landreth hits the stage in The Cunning Little Vixen tomorrow night (Friday 27th March). There are three shows tomorrow, Tuesday and Thursday (I will be going to this one). If you are keen, then let me know as we will probably get our tickets online first. The Cunning Little Vixen is mainly based on animals, but Landreth plays the Greenkeeper. Information is available at the Nimby Opera website. It will be great to go to an opera for the first time. It is relatively inexpensive and should be quite light hearted compared with other operas.

http://www.nimbyopera.org.nz

There was also information in the Dominion Post yesterday (Wednesday), section D.

Landreth has done heaps of opera and has also delved into movies starring in McBain the musical and Warts and All - Behind the Scenes Movie Based on the 2005 Mobil Opera Song Contest. So he is a talented and great guy. Google and You Tube searches will get you footage.

I have seen Matty in action singing at the England vs Silver Ferns netball game in Dunedin where we lost and as part of the University Sextet dressed up as clowns, he was always the last to scull his wine!

If you are keen for Thursday night to go and watch at 7:30pm let me know. I also know of groups going next Tuesday and on this Friday. I am keen to see opera, but not keen enough to go three times. It costs $36.50 although I heard rumours of $10 discounts for groups of 6 or more people. I must check this out!

Ten Most Amazing Events

I have included the most memorable events which I have been fortuate enough to attend. If any others spring to mind I will let you know. I have been to about 12 tests and I forget how many other rugby matches. That was what you did back then down south as there was nothing else to do. I have also been to heaps of cricket at Carisbrook, Caketin, Basin Reserve and Queenstown Events Centre. I have also been to an Australian NBL game between the Sydney Kings and Brisbane Bullets in 1996 and two league matches one in 1996 between the Balmain Tigers and Parramatta Eels and in 2003 between the Warriors and the Raiders at Ericsson. These matches were up there, but not as memorable as the top ten listed below. I have tried to mix up the codes and stadiums listed below.

1) The Mens Singles Australian Open tennis final. What a match. A five set thriller between Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal. I was there to witness it at an electric Rod Laver Arena.

2) Cricket at MCG in Australia where we won thanks to Grant Elliot. It was a brilliant way to shut up the Aussie yobbos!

3) 2005 All Blacks vs Springboks at Carisbrook. We won with a late Keven Mealamu try. It was exciting with a brilliant outcome. It was one of the 12 All Black tests I have attended.

4) 1997 Southland vs Otago. This was an epic 22-20 win for the Stags and on the back of a Pita Alatini try and the Simon Culhane boot we got there. It was Southland's first win since 1986 in NPC. This was when it was tough.

5) LA Galaxy vs Wellington Phoenix. I saw David Beckham play some great long balls. He was all class and the Galaxy smoked the 'Nix.

6) 2007 Chappell Hadlee when the Blackcaps won by 10 wickets. Beating Australia is something satisfying, but doing it by 10 wickets is amazing.

7) My only premiership match at Craven Cottage 2006 Fulham vs Bolton. The final score was 1-1 with a late Jimmy Bullard penalty giving the Londoners a point. The chants and crowd atmosphere was an eye opener, as was the standard of football.

8) Otago vs British and Irish Lions 2005. I should've been at the first test, but sold my tickets instead. This was unforgetable for the Lions fans who were far more impressive than the actual game. There were stunning British women and patriotic Lions fans who made more noise than the scarfies.

9) NZI Sevens. In their first year 2000, this was a sign of things to come with a packed Caketin and heaps of teams on display. We didn't win, but gave it a good shot.

10) 1997 Bledisloe Cup at Carisbrook where we won 36-24 after leading 36 nil at halftime. One try stands alone in my memory from this game, when Christian Cullen ran 80 metres to score untouched. This was thanks to day time rugby. This just gets it ahead of the 1999 Springboks test and all of the other rugby matches I have watched. I thought I wouldn't bore you with the 1998 Southland win over Northland in atrocious weather or the 1998 Otago win over Wellington 82-10 or was it 84-10 in the NPC.

I have been to so many rugby and cricket matches, that it is hard to differentiate on where they stand on the list. I would go for the most memorable matches.

My Top Ten Sporting Achievements

I have decided that it is high time that I started doing the Top Ten lists. People love this sort of carry on and if the punters love it, then I love it! In no particular are my best/favourite sporting memories.

1) Finishing runner up in the All Souls Touch Tournament in London. We lost this mixed tournament to a team with six of the eight opponents were Great Britain representatives. This was in 2006 when I still had a bit of pace. The funny thing was that after the game they were wearing Super 12 tops like what we do with European football tops. The good thing was that it was a Christian tournament and there were a few good message speeches.

2) The mighty Redemption FC in 2006 going down to Invers and beating one of their top sides in the Chatham Cup. I was brought up playing for the club in Invers and it was satisfying beating them because I always looked up to the club top side. This was one of the strongest Redemption sides to take the field and most of my best mates were there like Stevo, Dalboy, Cramps and Sammy. We won 2-1 and it was a great trip with down to Invers and back in the minivan. Great times!

3) Southland vs North Otago Under 18 tennis. My one and only match at rep level for Southland. From memory we won both doubles and singles in 1996. This was my best year in tennis.

4) South Island Secondary Schools mixed tennis. We got 3rd in 1996. We played at Wilding Park in Christchurch and did as well as we could with the best two schools far better than us.

5) The mighty Redemption FC winning our first and only title in the Efficient Security League in about 2004. It was satisfying to get some silverware finally.

6) Winning the volleyball and sports quiz at sports camp last year. We only took two trophies, but they were rewarding in front of some big crowds.

7) Winning the senior and junior boys singles title at James Hargest High School. It was great to get silverware at high school.

8) Winning Div 5 in the Wednesday night McAlister Park mixed touch module with the Street Superstars.

9) Getting the Alex Harvey trophy for leadership as vice captain of the First X1 at high school. Some more silverware.

10) The Chosen Ones going unbeaten in the start of 2006 touch season. We even beat The Refs who had some great players. We had the ideal team back then with a mixture of speed and experience. Me and Sammy were Eric Rush and Dallas Seymour.

A Marketing Tool Victim Scotty Donaldson

I had no idea when I purchased my novelty t-shirt from a store in Cuba Street that I was part of a legitimate marketing campaign to Bring Back Georgie Pie. I thought it was a bit of fun, but the reaction I got from wearing this t-shirt is obviously not unique as a North Shore baker is trying to get Georgie Pie into McDonalds stores. I had former All Black Graham Thorne among other people who have expressed an interest in the Georgie Pie campaign and talked to me about their memories of the $1 pies and buzz bar sundaes.

I paid $30 for the t-shirt, when they should've been paying me to advertise for the campaign. These t-shirts are also available on Trade Me. There is also a group on Facebook.

I found this out on the NZ Herald website. For further details go to this link.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10562982

Yellow Belly Goddard

Brett and Jermaine from Flight of the Conchords got spanked playing tennis at my usual stomping ground the Renouf Tennis Centre in Wellington. They lost the match 15-5 (played with massive racquets and table tennis scoring). It was part of a fundraising tournament. It is funny seeing my usual courts getting publicity and this will continue when the ASB Pro Circuit hits Wellington. Some of New Zealand's top players will be involved.

I went to the Caketin last night and witnessed history. I have never seen such a gutless performance by the MVP for the match, referee Matt Goddard. He was anal about the breakdown and initially handed out free kicks, then penalties and then yellow cards. In total there were five yellows and a sixth yellow was a red because it was awarded to the Bulls player who already had a yellow. It was such a farcical situation. The match barely had a full thirty players on the field. It is crazy how an awful spear tackle on Conrad Smith got as much punishment as some very marginal calls at the break down for not entering through the gate when the player had been the tackler. Life goes on, but it was another bad advertisement for our national game which is losing popularity to other sports and lifestyle choices.

Last night we went to the Southern Cross as top girls Becs and Halina had their birthday's on the same day. It was a top crowd of mainly females and we had quality times together. It is tough being a minority sometimes! I must say that the birthday cake was the second biggest single layer cake I have ever seen!

Today is the Equinox

It is official folks, Autumn is here. The day and night time should be the same on March 20.

An Equinox occurs twice a year, when the tilt of the Earth's axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun, the Sun being vertically above a point on the Equator.

I am off to the Hurricanes vs Bulls tonight if anyone is keen? It seems that the average population would rather watch us get smashed by the Indians and the Little Master Tendulkar than go to the struggling national game. People are rugbyied out, but I am standing in defiance and using my seasons pass which doubles as a Snapper card. I haven't seen anyone else use them on the bus, but it looks cooler.

I work near the Railway Station and will meet up with Mucka Jones. Our aim is to find a kebab shop at the business end of town. We are not on Courtenay, Cuba or Riddiford Street now.

After the game I will go to birthday drinks for some cool Loveshack ladies who are having a low key birthday outing. Females usually have more female friends than males, so I will be a scarce commodity.

Saturday will be brunch, followed eventually by watching the Highlanders win and seeing Andy Jamieson go out with style in a blaze of glory. Hopefully it will involve inappropriateness at his stag party. A bit of Selley's No More Cracks where the sun doesn't shine.

Over to Sunday and it will be a football preseason run around with the guys. The posts are barely up around Wellington, but with two weeks left until the season kicks off, I need the practice and the fitness. I have been playing tennis and touch, but these are totally different sports requiring different skills. Even the indoor game that I have filled in for, is slightly different.

Who knows what other awkward situations or what new and exciting people I will meet this weekend? It is great to live in Wellington where there is so much happening!

Go the Warriors, Blackcaps, Hurricanes, Highlanders and Marist Skins!

Some Frank Honesty From Iain O'Brien!

Return of the Conchords

It was great to see the return of Flight of the Conchords on Prime recently. I can't handle too many episodes in a row, but the dry humour is very kiwi in nature.

In random other news, there is a website with information and support for guys who bake. It is called www.blokeswhobake.co.nz
You wouldn't find me there, but it could be a supportive network for those intrigued by the concept.

I have been inspired by Josh Kronfeld in Dancing with the Stars. While there is always interest in what his partner is or isn't wearing, Josh Kronfeld will perform a dance in front of the terraces at Carisbrook this weekend when the Highlanders play the Cheetahs.

Good on him!

It is enough to inspire you on a morning that New Zealand cricket would rather forget. India for a change is actually trying when they tour here and they actually have fast bowlers of note.

But Wait There's More

After enquiring about the Christian Singles Ball when looking to buy tickets I was told by the organisers that there is also a speed dating night on in April. This is also taking place at the ball, so there are two chances for desperate and dateless Christian singles (of which there are many) to get together. The problem with Christians is that the guys are usually too shy to ask and the gals are often too shy to accept. There are other factors like a lack of alcohol involved, a lack of numbers (about 5% of the population) and higher standards because Christians aren't just looking for a one night stand.

In other news,

The weekend was full of social events. It seems that every Tom, Dick and Harry are throwing parties and heaps of these are during the day. Friday night was entertaining as we went to Renata McCorkindale's birthday dessert and board games. It is the usual Christian night in, but always fun. It is funny how seriously some people take games of chance like Cranium, even though the roll of the dice brings a massive element of luck into it. Mind you, I guess you have to play to win. The highlight or low light of the evening was when I sat down with my dessert and my elbow banged on my knee or the chair arm and went flying over my right shoulder, landing two metres away face down. Luckily there was no one sitting there and there was only a small amount of dessert.

On Saturday, it was on for young and old. Thomas my old flatmate and his fiance Rach had their engagement party in Waikanae. It was nice peaceful day in the countryside. Waikanae reminds me of Winton and Mosgiel with people retiring there, but it is near the coast.

I returned home to go to The Kyles housewarming. It was funny having a house full of married and nearly married couples. I was one of few singles there and I put it to DK that two years ago it would've been a different story. Time to move on!

I went home and missed Sally's 1950s Housewife Party, instead going home to watch a triple header. The Blackcaps thrashed India. This was like it used to be like when they toured. Only one team would be trying! The Warriors and Highlanders were playing at the same time. I got one out of two results there with one of my teams having far more firepower and x Factor than the other. I won't be sad because two out of three ain't bad.

On Sunday me, Landreth and Becs joined the crowd at Johnny and Cleland's birthday band in the park day. Johnny and Dreamboats were playing (see above). The are also playing at the Christian Singles Ball. It is a small world! The highlight was when Karl Eagle aka Lolly Man came running out in a red and yellow suit with bags of lollies attached. I tackled him among others and grabbed a bag. The crotch region was the one I got. Unfortunately the ground was hard and I skinned my knees! All for a bag of lollies.

This bought to an end my weekend. It was funny how these events were with different groups, but there were a few of the same people at most. Dodds is often around, while the Love Shackers including Landreth are social butterflies. The crew I went to Aussie with for example were doing other things. The Street social fabric is so vast and complicated, but you know that!

Last night I played tennis and got the feeling the justice was served. I played a guy aged around 50 who made some poor calls. He called my shots out about four times when they looked and felt in. These were crucial points and in my frustration at slipping down 5-1 second set after winning the first 6-1 I decided to change my tactics. Hitting the ball hard helped vent my frustration, but helped him get the lead. Instead I mixed it up and sure enough justice was served 6-1 7-5.

Christian Singles Ball?

I am wondering if any of my friends have heard or seen of this ball before? I recognise some of the people in the photos on the website and it is hard to know what sort of people would be there. While on the website it mentions 20s and 30s, it looks more like 30 somethings, which I guess is me these days, but I am shooting for the 20s barrel and most people realise this.

It would be cool if there was a decent crowd there from The Street. This is being run really professionally if the website is anything to go for. It is amazing what these people get away with. There is a salsa lesson on the night (been there!) so I will be a bit ahead of the pack hopefully. They also have speed dating and get away with it! Awesome. I think Christians need speed dating as they are so conservative and beat about the bush too much.

There is also a band playing and it is Johnny and The Dreamboats. Good stuff Johnny Wilson!

There is an even number of males and females and there is a meal where people a put at tables of eight and you can nominate a friend of the same sex to sit near. You also have to register and fill out a questionnaire, so I will be sitting in the jocks corner, hopefully there are some cheerleaders there!

It sounds great, but I just wonder and the desperate and dateless that will be attending. Is this the case? Has anyone been to it before and can shed some insight? It has been two years since I attended my ninth and last Gore Presbyterian ball. It was always fun times!

For information go to

www.christiansinglesball.com

Nadal's A Star!

Watch this cool two minute clip off You Tube.

I experienced Nadal first hand and came to the conclusion that he is a special talent.

I won tennis last night. It was rewarding because not only did I manage to win both doubles and singles in three sets, but I managed to come back from a set down in both. It was a close game of doubles as I was the best ranked of the four players, but my partner was the bottom. The singles was also satisfying after I lost the first set blowing a 2-0 lead to go down 6-2. I then changed my tactics completely and it worked for the next two sets. It involved serving and volleying more which is tiring, but was ultimately rewarding.

Another mildly amusing event happened on Thursday when I was playing Div 1 tennis. There were lots of juniors getting coaching on the court next to us. This was annoying as the courts are close together and their balls kept coming onto our courts. Khandallah is one of the biggest clubs in Wellington yet their courts are too close together and the back court doesn't allow for much running down of lobs. The situation arose when in the middle of a point, a ball came from the court next to ours and hit me right in the crown jewels. Unfortunately no one in my match saw this happen. The opposition then thought they had won the point. I have turned into a slight complainer, knowing that tennis etiquette would allow a replay, but it was a tad embarrassing confessing to this. It was a bit sore at the time. It provided a highlight in an otherwise dour night at the courts.

Sunday the new Saturday?

I have been invited to several social events this weekend and the most popular day for these events is Sunday. I guess, people are less busy on Sundays and although there isn't the luxury of a day to recover before most people go back to work, I guess it is fine for the Christian scene. Plenty of fun to be had tomorrow!

Tragedy Overseas

There have been 19 albinos killed in Tanzania in the past year and it is seems that there is a bit of angst against the minority that is albinos. Aparently albinos are not very common, occurring 1 in every 17,000 people. For example there will be three albinos living in Invers, although with their pastie and blonde exterior, they will probably fit in.

It was disappointing to hear of the six Sri Lankan players injured by gunmen in Pakistan. It really puts things into perspective. While we are mesmerised by the likes Sangakkara and Murali, you don't wish this on anyone. The assistant coach was also injured while the fourth match official was killed among other people.

No one will want to tour Pakistan now. A question for the punters. Would you rather New Zealand's Blackcaps toured Zimbabwe or Pakistan?

P.S. Finally it is great to see an Indian team playing to their potential on tour to New Zealand. It makes for a great game on Friday at the Caketin.

The Weekend That Was

Wing got a mention on Saturday night, so I thought I had better look her up.

After the euphoria of the pool party on Friday night I went to the Monet museum on Saturday. It was time for myself, Doddsey and Johnny the Russ to be civilised after the Saturday morning sausage sizzle brunch. After braving the massive queues, we started to appreciate the paintings from a distant more than from up close. We were experts at art viewing by the end. We had favourites. Doddsey's was a landscape which looked like Central Otago. My favourite was rugged coastline with the waves crashing down and two guys standing on the shore.

Saturday night saw me attend another DVD and dessert evening at Cam and Doddsey's flat. We watched Walk the Line. It was a great crew of mid 20s to mid 30s. For the first time in ages I was the median age in a social group.

Sunday dawned hot and windy. I helped Greer and Andy move into the shoe box on Wilson Street around the corner. Their neighbours have a communal hippy type garden. Sitting near the garden there were some more hippies. It is funny how Newtown is a haven for hippies and on the other side of the street is another world with heaps of foreigners. We went out for lunch in Newtown. It is amazing how many small cafes there are which I didn't know existed. This is why people see Newtown as a treasure trove.

On Sunday night I made debut on the Connections team at night church. It was fun weloming people. Red couches at the end of the service got a bit awkward with heaps of teenage girls coming to the couch. I was trying to be friendly without being sifty which is usually the case with me.

Tonight I played the tennis of my life. It was against the other team from my club and after struggling to win our doubles, I ended up thrashing the guy from my club who used to play higher than me at singles. I played with a more consistent back hand (mainly slice) and he was struggling to get down to them. If he did then I would hit a magic passing shot. Let the good times roll and hopefully my ranking will continue to rise!