Who Will Win Tua vs Cameron?

This Saturday night David Tua will fight Shane Cameron in a highly anticipated boxing heavyweight fight. Boxing has been on the backburner since the 1990s when characters like Don King, Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis dominated the sport. It is more of a sport for thugs and those hellbent on seeing one man smash another to pieces.

I remember going to Vale Tudo (No Holds Barred) martial arts fighting and wrestling in Dunedin and was amazed at the rough type of crowd calling for blood. My flatmate was fighting and people in the crowd were yelling for the other guy to "knock his block off". To me this isn't sport!

Anyway, David Tua is old and hasn't fought in a while but once got as far as fighting for the heavyweight title of the world. He got a bronze medal in the 1992 Olympics and has achieved far greater success than Cameron. He is short and powerful.

Cameron has been the best boxer in New Zealand for ages. He has been trying to move his way up the ladder, but has had problems in recent time with cuts. He has ability and is younger than Tua. He also has more reach.

For the record I think Tua has the experience and big fight temperament to win this one, but who really knows in the corrupt world of boxing?

The TAB last time I looked at Tua as the firm favourite

David Tua $1.50
Shane Cameron $2.45

Both fighters look sharp, but will the emotion of losing his aunty in the recent Tsunami spark the Tua man? Will the younger man Cameron win? Is it worth backing Cameron because of the better odds and no one knows who will win?

Who do you think will win? Are you going to watch it on Saturday or is this a fight for blood thirsty thugs!

The Blackcaps Can Still Make The Semi Finals if they lose to England

The myth that if we lose to England in the Champions Trophy we are eliminated could well be false according to the Cricinfo website. Net Run Rate can improve despite a loss because it goes on total NRR average over the entire tournament rather than in one match. The punters reckon that a low scoring defeat like if we bowl England out for 150 and fall just short, then we may well do enough to improve our NRR enough to still beat Sri Lanka. Only England has a positive NRR in our pool.


http://www.cricinfo.com/iccct2009/content/page/425296.html

Group Matches

In the event of teams finishing on equal points in its group, the right to play in the semi-finals will be decided in the following order of priority:

The team with the more wins in the group stage will be placed in the higher position.
If there are teams with equal points and equal wins in the group stage then in such case the team with the higher net run rate in the group stage will be placed in the higher position (refer to below for the calculation of net run rate).
If following the net run rate calculation above there are teams which are still equal, then the team with the higher number of wickets taken per balls bowled in the group stage in which results were achieved will be placed in the higher position.
If still equal, the team which was the winner of the head to head match played between them will be placed in the higher position.
In the highly unlikely event that teams cannot be separated by the above this will be done by drawing lots.

Net Run Rate

A team's net run rate is calculated by deducting from the average runs per over scored by that team throughout the competition, the average runs per over scored against that team throughout the competition.

In the event of a team being all out in less than its full quota of overs, the calculation of its net run rate shall be based on the full quota of overs to which it would have been entitled and not on the number of overs in which the team was dismissed.

1950s Ideas

They were great times and preparing myself for tomorrow nights party at Rochelle's place has been an education.

I got this list of people/characters who were big in the 1950s. Of course, plenty of these people were also famous in other eras, so for example with Elvis Presley you would be uncool showing up in the big white one piece with bling as that was 1970s.

It is also important to know that the Roadrunner and Speedy Gonzales characters were also big in the 1950s and while both Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse mentioned below were created before the 1950s, like all of the people on the list, I am interpreting it as being popular in the 1950s.

There are also characters from tv shows and movies like Hi De Hi, Happy Days and Grease which are made in a different era but set in the 1950s.







I got the following list from the link below.
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/70579

Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Hank Williams, Hank Thompson, John Wayne, Elvis Presley, Jane Mansfield, Elizabeth Taylor, Eddie Fisher, Doris Day, Buddy Holly, Sid Ceaser, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Don Knotts, Gene Autry, The Three Stooges, Micky Mouse, Bugs Bunny, Roy Rogers, James Dean, Jimmy Stewart, Rock Hudson, Minnie Pearl, Eva Gardner, Jack Elam, Jack Benny, Johnny Cash, June Carter, Ray Charles, Jackie Gleason, Tony Bennett, just to name a few.

Finally Left Handers Get Equality!

It has taken an eternity, but a British store has taken the initiative and started making left handed underpants for guys. About ten percent of British men are left handed like me, but have had to put up with living in a right handed world! This is liberation! Tick that one off along with left handed cheque books. I am still waiting for non smudge pens and white board markers!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/oddstuff/2898126/Store-launches-underpants-for-left-handed-men

Is This Shot Real?

I got this off You Tube. You decide for yourself, real or not? We could do with these guys at Riverbend Sports Camp!

Adidas vs Puma Match

The feud between the founders of Puma and Adidas, two brothers has come to an end. While both German brothers who were involved in the Nazi party are dead, their two companies played a match as a form of unity after over sixty years of division in a German town. They mixed the teams up and they ended up in the match played recently. For the record, I rate Adidas so much better than Puma as a brand and quality of product. They may just fit me better, but I think Adidas has done heaps better.

The German sportswear companies Puma and Adidas have ended a feud started 60 years ago by their founding brothers.

Employees of both companies have shaken hands and then played a football match in the Bavarian town of Herzogenaurach, where both are based.

Adi and Rudolf Dassler started making sports shoes together in their mother's wash-room in the 1920s.

They fell out during World War II, probably over political differences, and founded rival firms.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8267709.stm

Countdown For Newtown

The vacant land at the hectic intersection near Wellington hospital will become home to a new style Countdown supermarket. This is closer to my house than Newtown New World and it will be interesting to see what kind of punters the new supermarket will get. The current Newtown New World is a haven for people begging for money and a few interesting characters with it's proximity to plenty of blocks of Council housing. It will be interesting to see if residents of the south end of Newtown make the effort to walk 200 metres to a cheaper supermarket, or if this new supermarket is more of a student hangout close to Massey University. One thing is for sure, there isn't that much space there and it is on an already busy intersection, so it will be chaos there!

http://www.progressive.co.nz/our-company/news--media-releases/new-generation-countdown-supermarket-for-newtown

Something For The Traction Film Festival To Be Aware Of!

When you are shooting your Traction Film be careful not to let your scenes be confused for real life crime like some students in Waikato. They used a dairy for a scene which involved a robbery, but unfortunately a member of the public called the Police and six Police cars arrived on the scene. They told the cops they were going to do this, but told them the wrong date. Anyway, read about it in the article below.


http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/2886158/Police-move-in-fast-on-gun-toting-actor

Map Your Journey Around Wellington

It is World Carfree Day tomorrow and here is an awesome site which has been setup in conjunction with the Greater Wellington Regional Council. It looks cool and helps you choose the best routes around Wellington taking into account things like the topography of the landscape. It is well worth a look!


www.journeyplanner.org.nz

The Costume Party Season

Here are some photos of my Pirates vs Robots Party hosted by other September Birthday Club members Will and Karl. Justine looked like such a "wench" in this photo, it is brilliant. Landreth always makes great costumes on a shoestring, while I had the C3PO suit on, but rarely wore the mask. R2D2 was someone mysterious who wiped out the crowds in the hallway and dance floor, but was a guy who was a friend of a friend. He created quite a following that night. It is great when there are 50ish people and you know most of them.

Stay tuned for footage of Saturday night when I am off to a 1950s party. I am still deciding which great character to go as.

Thanks Gav for the photos!

Busy Times Ahead!

After the relative tranquility of a sunny weekend mainly lounging around in the capital between a spot of tennis and indoor soccer, I find myself thrust into the busy rat race. Somehow I am seen as a bit of an organiser and this takes up heaps of my time. While, the football season is finished and the team I manage and played for finished mid table, I have gained a new role. I am organising my Monday night tennis team. At least it is only a four a side sport, although once injuries hit, I will have to rummage around for players and with tennis being an individual sport requiring a good amount of skill, there are less people hanging around the traps who would be good enough.

I am also doing the usual Wednesday night touch team this season and we still need one more female. If you know of someone suitable then flick me a message please. It doesn't start until November, but I really need to get registration done in the next few weeks.

Sports camp is almost here and we are now trying to put together a competitive team across about twenty sports. This is no mean feat given the relative diversity of players and sports from draughts to rugby sevens.

We are entered into the Traction Film Festival and are getting our movie made by the end of the weekend. This will be fun, but could take a while and be quite hectic.

I will take some time out from proceedings to go and watch the mighty Stags roar into town on Thursday night, steal some Air New Zealand Cup points and then leave. If Wellington still had the shield then it would be strange having this game on a Thursday night. This game could spell the end to life in the unfamiliar second place for my boys. Do all good things have to come to an end?

Finally, my Optimus Prime outfit is here and is beautifully ugly. It isn't really appropriate for the 1950s party on this weekend at Rochelle's flat, but it should get a few airings at various parties and occasions, whether they are appropriate or not!

P.S. It is ironic that I took time out from my hectic schedule to write about being busy. In taking time to write this I am now behind in my other tasks, but that is the level of commitment I have for my readers!

This Is Hilarious With So Many Double Entendres

I used to watch Rainbow as a kid. Of course, there were probably heaps of underlying homosexual and or drug overtones. Rainbow is of course the emblem associated with the homosexual movement in this country. Watch the above clip which rumour has it was made by the team for a staff christmas party. It is so funny! I always loved George's voice, it seems so pathetic. Look at the way that Jane stops to try not to start laughing. This is an absolute classic! I wonder if it actually made it onto television.

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/137112/

Sometimes Kids Are Annoyingly Cute!

This poor guy needed councilling after his kid threw back the foul ball he caught. But what can you do? It seems that the management of the Phillies gave him a ball anyway which was a nice gesture. There is often so much competition to get these balls which fly into the crowd especially if they are potential milestone balls like record breaking home runs.

The Christian vs Non Christian Coffee

After the recent relationship series at The Street and the regurgitation of the million dollar question "When is coffee, not just coffee?" or "When is coffee, more than coffee?". This question has come to the forefront and the difference is huge between the interpretation by Christians and non/new Christians.

It is the age old question when asking a Street girl out. Very cliche, but despite such an innocent act which may be because you like the girl or may just be a way of getting to know the girl on an individual basis away from the highly common, but hard to break "Group dating" situation. This is usually taken as a marriage proposal no matter what slant you put on it, but at the same time it is good to know where you stand.

The non Christian perspective today was obvious when I bumped into a gal I used to study with. She had to go to the gym but suggested we catch up for coffee sometime. If I was taking my Street stance on this I may have said "no", but I said "sure". Non Christians are far more open to going out for coffee as a chance to get to know someone better and catch up. It is funny how the two parties are so different.

I guess the intent of my coffees with new/non Christians could be the differing factor? But who is to say that the Street coffee dates aren't just because we are looking to catch up?

Anyway, today was strange as I saw three different incidents where fire engines were required around town. I also noticed so many people smoking today, I am unsure why? Finally, I have decided that going to and from work during peak hour traffic is so much slower because there are so many people, but you seem to see more people you know. We also had a power cut at work which cut the day short, so that was interesting.

Riverbend is Almost Here!

The Street is set to embark on a sports mad Labour weekend at Riverbend in the Hawkes Bay. We have just realised that there are heaps of individual sports to supplement the vast number of team sports on offer in what is going to be a tiring weekend. If you are keen to join The Street team (we still have a few openings) let me know. You will have to be capable at a few team sports at least and preferably able to pick up an individual sport or three too. There is also athletics and swimming which involve everyone.


Rugby
Normal Rugby Seven Aside rules apply. Dangerous play will be severely penalised.
* All players must be wearing mouth guards.
Soccer
Normal soccer rules apply. Teams of 9 players, including at least two females. (If you have more than two females the opposition does not have to match but they still must have two females playing.)
Hockey
Normal hockey rules apply. Teams of five players. In the event of a penalty shootout the five players who began the game will be the persons responsible for taking the shots. Please bring hockey sticks if at all possible. Due to the very rough surface of the playing field there will be no hitting, only pushing of the ball.
* All players must be wearing mouth guards.
Netball
Normal netball rules apply. One minute interval for half time.
Softball
A minimum of four females. The nominated 9 players at the start of each game must complete the entire game, no substitutions will be allowed.
Camp Rules: - Two out = Side out
- 2 Strikes
- 3 Balls
- Males pitching to females must show consideration. If the speed of the ball is excessive a ball will be called. New pitcher for each innings. The innings must be completed by both teams for runs to count otherwise only the previous innings will be counted.
Volleyball
Team of six players. Accumulated points, change ends every 10 points. Note: not the number of sets won. Strict rules will be applied. (eg; open handed carrying, slapping or double touch.)
Beach Volleyball
Normal rules apply. Male and female have separate competitions. Pairs.
Basketball
Normal basketball rules apply. A team of five players with a maximum of five subs.
- Teams may sub at the break of play at the ref’s control
- A point will be awarded for every foul incurred
- Four fouls - the player is “fouled out”
- Two equal halves with a one minute interval
- One time out per half, per team (20 sec)
- Running clock game
Each team must supply a scorer & time keeper per game
Run as a knock out draw also this year.

Longball
Normal camp rules apply. These include everyone participating. Change over for the following : hit behind or over boundaries on the full, caught on the full or a runner tagged with the ball. No more than five runners at either end. (sixth runner forces a runner) Fair and responsible pitches. Runners & returning fielders must run between cones. This will be run as a straight knockout draw.

Kayaking
Team of three – 2 males and 1 female
- Sitting start
- Accumulated times (best three times totalled together)
- Kayaks and life jackets are supplied

Cross Country
Two males and two females required from each team. Course will b explained prior to race.

Swimming
Full team participation required. Races will be outlined on the evening. Large emphasis on “Team Participation”.
Athletics

This will consist of:
100m whole team to run and will be timed.
Discus, Shot Put and Standing Long jump.

Individual Sports
Croquet
Team of two players (one each sex). Rules will be explained before game.

Indoor Bowls
Best of five ends. One pair per team.

Table Tennis
One male and one female to represent each team in pairs.

Darts
One male and one female per team. Round the world rules
Apply.

Draughts
One per team.

Petanque
One per team.

Chess
One per team.

Archery
One person per team.

Shooting
One person per team.
Kayaking
Team of 3-4, one of which must be a girl and the best time will be recorded after the third person across the line.
Run Individually is the following

The kayaking, shooting, archery and croquet will be run within a time bracket at some stage over the weekend. Confirmation of exactly what time, yet to be given.

It's All Happening!

Check out the above videos to see Roger Federer at his absolute best when he did an amazing passing shot he later claimed to be the best shot he has ever hit against Novak Djokovic in the Men's singles semi final at the US Open. Then today he came crashing down to earth with a five set loss to rising star Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina. It is funny how everyone made a massive deal about Serena Williams losing the plot in her semi final, yet even the king of cool Roger Federer let fly with a naughty word or two in his losing final cause. The world thinks the world of Roger Federer though and nothing much has been made about his situation. I wonder if the Heineken Open will jump on the back of Del Potro since he started the calender year winning the Auckland tournament. It obviously made him into the player he is now! The win shows the depth in the guys game. It is not as if Del Potro came from nearly three years off and came back through a wildcard and without a ranking to take the title! It shows how the depth of the two are poles apart.



The guy who broke american hearts in the 1980s through Dirty Dancing has passed away after battling cancer. Pattrick Swayze has passed away. He was also in Ghost with Demi Moore and who will forget the clay wheel scene? Was Dirty Dancing better than Footloose? That is the question!

What is The Male Equivalent of a Cougar?

This one goes out to Johnny Wilson who hinted that I may be a male cougar at my ripe old age of 31. This comes out of the fact that he is playing at Shooters Bar which is a haven in Wellington for Cougars.

It made me think, what is a male cougar?

Wikipedia defines a male version of a cougar to be a "Manther"

Cougar—a woman over 40[10] who sexually pursues younger men, typically more than eight years her junior.[11] The term appears to have been coined by Canadian website Cougardate.com[12] and has been used in TV series, advertising and film. The 2007 film Cougar Club was dedicated to the subject and in Spring 2009 TV Land aired a reality show called The Cougar.

Since I am more of a believer in

The "half-your-age-plus-seven" rule

I don't think I qualify as a male cougar or Manther just yet.

Some other potential names for a man cougar are Sugar Daddy or Man Panther or Sleazy Old Man.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_disparity_in_sexual_relationships

My Thumbs Just Sprained, Caster Semenya Issue and Wellington in the NRL?

My thumb is not broken, but there is still some fluid on the long tendon which runs all the way up the arm. In layman's terms I have a sprained and still slightly swollen thumb. I went to the After Hours Medical Centre to get xrays on Wednesday. Foolishly I didn't make it until 6pm incurring an additional fee when added to my ACC subsidised price I still paid $58 for what took two minutes and told me it wasn't broken. Not a bad hourly rate for them.

The next day I went to a Radiology place and was the only guy who wasn't going to get scans on potential babies it seemed. It was funny getting the jelly rubbed onto my thumb and seeing my insides on a screen. They even gave me a CD to take home. This was all covered by ACC and a new experience for me. The ultra sound is always something I have associated with babies.

So hopefully I will be fine playing tennis and touch this summer and my thumb and palm of my hand will be back to full strength asap.

Some other issues in the wonderful world came to fruition today. I am not going to say much about the Caster Semenya case apart from that this gender inbetween person is very unfortunate and should never have been thrust into the limelight like this.

News Ltd and Fairfax newspapers reported on Friday that medical reports on the 18-year-old Semenya indicate she has no ovaries, but rather has internal male testes, which are producing large amounts of testosterone.

She (socially defined as a woman) will probably never run again yet she has done nothing wrong. It is like she has been banned for drugs or some other form of cheating. Cricket embraced birth defects like the double jointedness of Shoaib Akhtar and Muralitharan by increasing the angle that the arm needs to be at to bowl a legitimate delivery, is there anything else this poor 18 year old can do? Should there be championships held for people of similar gender indeterminent people?

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/news/article/-/6021734/iaaf-release-semanya-gender-result

Should Wellington get a team in the National Rugby League competition? I think judging by the mixed bag of results faced by the New Zealand Warriors and other New Zealand teams in Australian competitions like the Breakers and Phoenix then the answer is probably a big fat no. We can't win the ANZ Netball Championship either it seems. Wellington isn't a league city, there are too many white middle class people who are into more civilised pursuits like croquet, golf and tennis at the club. I also think Wellington is stretched supporting the Hurricanes, Phoenix and any future Twenty 20 cricket competitions in the current stadia. It is a big fat "no" I am afraid. People only have so much money to spend in an increasingly busy life schedule.

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/nrl/news/article/-/6021714/wellington-pushing-nrl-team

Gore Women Have Gone Wild

I know plenty of great girls from Gore but it seems as if a handful of bad apples continue to tarnish the reputation of the Southland town. Despite Gore having some reassurring features like the most heterosexual population in the country and the Gore Presbyterian Ball, these latest incidents have tarnished the town. These gals from Gore in the attached article have an element of ruggedness about them which I am not really after in a potential partner! I am sure some guys like a girl who can handle themselves well in combat.


http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/6016182/judge-shocked-by-violent-women-in-gore/


P.S. I hope I haven't offended my multitude of quality, down to earth female friends I have in Gore. There are some top women of God from the Bible belt of Gore. But these publicised "Bad Girls" give the town an even worse reputation than it already has!

Bring on Bahrain!

I can't wait for November 14 to arrive as we host Bahrain in a World Cup football qualifier at the Caketin. I have my ticket, but it is bound to spark some passion among sporting fans as we realise that this is the best shot we have had at qualifying for the World Cup since 1982. For the record Bahrain snuck in on away goals after drawing both games, so it will be interesting to see how we go. We play them over there on October 10 before the return game here on November 14th. By just qualifying for the World Cup is something special. Who cares that once we get there it will be hard work to even get any results, but you have to dare to dream!

If you are going, I am in Section 20 Row L, so look for me behind the goal at the South end of the Stadium. Hopefully we see a goal that makes it into New Zealand football history. The beauty of this game is that it is only $30 or $40 per ticket. This is really cheap for such an important game. I paid about $100 to see LA Galaxy play here in 2007, so this will be far better value for money and a far more meaningful game. It is actually about the same price as going to watch the Phoenix play. I have been to Phoenix games and plenty of rugby test matches, but it will be my first football international.

The key is for us to at least score a goal away, but it will be tough in their conditions. Because away goals count for 2, it is better for us to draw away 2-2 and stack our defence back here and aim for a clean sheet. Bahrain have a FIFA Ranking of 64 and we are ranked 100th. These are only are guide, but show what we are up against!

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/lastranking/gender=m/fullranking.html#confederation=0&rank=185&page=2

See you at the Caketin on 14th November!

Costume Parties Galore

The party season is upon us and it promises to be fun times ahead over the next few weekends. I have a Bollywood Party on Friday night for Irene from The Loveshack. It will be interesting to see which outfits make an appearance. The key for these costume parties is to get costumes and accessories that you can use more than once. This starts getting tough when you have Bollywood followed by Pirates vs Robots and in two weeks time a 1950s Party.

I am torn for this Bollywood Party between a powder blue safari suit including shirt or a bright blue polyester shirt? They are both brilliant options (thanks Doddswa).

Saturday night is my combined birthday which is Pirates vs Robots. Most people want to come as robots but it is difficult to dress up as a robot. Pirates are easier but no as cool. I have an awesome robot costume on the way from the USA, but it had better arrive by Friday or I will be making do with a tacky pirate outfit. I am hoping to re-use the costume at least once more so it becomes cheaper than hiring.

Of course there are great games of rugby on this weekend at exactly the same time as these parties (one of which I am the host). This starts getting awkward, but it is the Springboks vs All Blacks. I will have to come up with a compromise.

Rochelle Andrews is throwing a 1950s Party on 26th September. It is another great theme and there are plenty of options. These parties will all have slightly different crews at them, but with spring in the air it is the party season!

I live for costume parties to prepare to be thrilled and amazed!

Birthday - Time to Feel A Year Older!

It is funny how the process of getting older is a gradual one, yet it isn't until your birthday that you realise that you have aged. I am now well into my thirties. The next survey form I fill in, I will be ticking the 31-40 box. This is a difficult thing for me to fathom.

Some highlights and lowlights of my 31st year on this planet;

Going to Melbourne in February and seeing the Aussie Open final, the Blackcaps win at the MCG, Black Saturday in Melbourne 46 degrees, playing lawn bowls and golf at Apollo Bay and seeing a beach rescue.

I have been blessed by having my employment increased to full time. I also have got to know my work mates even better over the past year. I have now written more than ten published articles.

The great sport I have played. Tennis, touch, football and indoor soccer have been great although I have lost a yard of pace. I avoided injury over summer, but couldn't escape it during winter!

New Years in Queenstown with the crew. Friends and family combined for great times at Lake Wakatipu.

My venture down south and watching heaps of Air New Zealand Cup games and catching up with old mates down south. The Stags are still top of the table. I have never seen this so far into the competition in my 31 years.

All of the new people I have met. There have been some odd balls, but there are also heaps of amazing people out there to add as Facebook friends!

The new experiences I have had including going to two operas, being an usher where I opened the doors for the bride and groom (a promotion from my usual usher role), Starlight Express, Wellington Ukulele Concert and Speed Dating at a Singles Ball. There are so many opportunities in Wellington.

Stay tuned for the Pirates vs Robots Party of the year. Photos to follow!

FYI the following famous people have birthdays on September 7th,

Elizabeth I, Queen born on September 7, 1533

Merna Kennedy born on September 7, 1908

Elia Kazan born on September 7, 1909

Anthony Quayle born on September 7, 1913

Peter Lawford born on September 7, 1923

Buddy Holly born on September 7, 1936

Dario Argento born on September 7, 1940

Julie Kavner born on September 7, 1950

Chrissie Hynde born on September 7, 1951

Mark Isham born on September 7, 1951

Mammootty born on September 7, 1953

Corbin Bernsen born on September 7, 1954

Michael Emerson born on September 7, 1954

Mira Furlan born on September 7, 1955

Diane Warren born on September 7, 1956

Michael Feinstein born on September 7, 1956

Carla Honing born on September 7, 1957

Stewart Finlay-McLennan born on September 7, 1957

Siddiq Barmak born on September 7, 1962

Eazy-E born on September 7, 1963

W. Earl Brown born on September 7, 1963

Toby Jones born on September 7, 1967

Toni Garrido born on September 7, 1967

Lester James Brandt born on September 7, 1968

Marcel Desailly born on September 7, 1968

Tom Sebastian born on September 7, 1968

Angie Everhart born on September 7, 1969

Rudy Galindo born on September 7, 1969

Mark Devlin born on September 7, 1970

Sugar Shane Mosley born on September 7, 1971

Diane Farr born on September 7, 1973

Shannon Elizabeth born on September 7, 1973

Antonio McDyess born on September 7, 1974

Noah Huntley born on September 7, 1974

Stephane Henchoz born on September 7, 1974

Oliver Hudson born on September 7, 1976

Jonathan Macken born on September 7, 1977

Devon Sawa born on September 7, 1978

Molly Holly born on September 7, 1978

Scotty Donaldson born September 7, 1978

Brock Cuchna born on September 7, 1979

Cara Nussbaum born on September 7, 1979

Josh Hammond born on September 7, 1979

Marieke van Ginneken born on September 7, 1979

Emre Belozoglu born on September 7, 1980

Gabriel Milito born on September 7, 1980

Mark Prior born on September 7, 1980

Dominique van Hulst born on September 7, 1981

Marianna Palka born on September 7, 1981

Paul McCoy born on September 7, 1981

Christie Cavalli born on September 7, 1982

Vera Zvonareva born on September 7, 1984

Evan Rachel Wood born on September 7, 1987

Hugh Mitchell born on September 7, 1989

Stags Snatch A Draw From The Hands of Victory

I am completely gutted after watching Southland snatch a draw from the jaws of victory tonight when drawing 15 all with Northland. Goal kicking ultimately cost the Stags who were without regular kickers James Wilson and Robbie Robinson as back up kickers Kenny Lynn and Seminar Manu convincingly missed an assortment of kicks to combine for 0 from 5 attempts. You rarely in this day and age see such a poor display.

Northland did defend heroically, but were outplayed in the scrums, at the breakdowns, possession and territory with 69% for the hosts. The problem was that the development team kicker John Dodd was on the bench. The Stags did miss the spark that Robinson usually provides too. It is also ironic given that the goal kicking has really cost them against both Manawatu and this game when their coach is one of the best kickers ever to play the game. The other irony is that they let superboot Blair Stewart go in the off season.

For some reason Southland seem to struggle more when they are favourites for matches like against Manawatu or Northland. Tradtionally we are not used to the role of favourites and it is hard playing when you are expected to win.

In summary Southland lacked cohesion but completely dominated this match, but Northland defended well and were kept in the game by an incredibly poor goal kicking display. If the Stags want to be a force they really need to win these games well.

Several questions

What do you think about Dinara Safina being the World Number 1 without winning a major title? Is she a victim of the system or an unworthy number one freeloader?

Who wants to go to the Phoenix on Friday night? They play Adelaide United and it is a Friday night game for a change. It is a unique experience going to the football with 90 emotions.

We had the relationships talk at Life Group and it was riveting to get a group of mainly women of the Lord together and chew the fat over some dessert. It is great when people open up over such topics!

Don't forget to come to my party on Saturday 12th September. It is at 108A Brougham Street and starts from 8pm. I am still trying to decide which Pirate or Robot I will go dressed as.