Who Will Win the Halberg Awards?

http://www.halberg.co.nz/Success+Stories/Halberg+Awards/2009+WESTPAC+HALBERG+AWARDS+FINALISTS+ANNOUNCED.html

This year it will be interesting to see who wins the 2009 Halberg Awards. It is 2009 because it is for performances last year. It is difficult to compare apples with oranges, but you would hope the panel will potentially mix it up from the usual rugby default selections. It is hard to know how becoming a world champion in rowing or cycling compares with making the football World Cup for example. Your guess is as good as mine for trying to predict the winners. I will go for Mahe Drysdale as the sportsman of the year, Alison Shanks as the sportswoman (Valerie usually gets it) and The All Whites (because of the global nature of football). Who do you think will win? For further details of candidates click through to the above link.

Outstanding performances by New Zealand sportsmen and women at world championship level last year have been reflected in the finalists selected for the 2009 Westpac Halberg Awards.

Rowing dominates the list with five finalists - senior and lightweight single scull world champions Mahe Drysdale and Duncan Grant, the pair of Eric Murray and Hamish Bond and the lightweight double scull crew of Storm Uru and Peter Taylor plus Richard Tonks, who coached two of the world champions. Cycling, with women’s world individual pursuit champion Alison Shanks, world BMX Olympic Class champion Sarah Walker and head coach Tim Carswell, has three finalists while athletics, with world shot put champion Valerie Vili and coach Kirsten Hellier, has two.

Other World Champions to be recognised by the Halberg Awards Voting Academy were swimmer Sophie Pascoe and the women’s 420 sailing crew of Alexandra Maloney and Bianca Barbarich-Bacher. The heroic efforts of the All Whites in beating Bahrain to be one of the last teams to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals in South Africa have been rewarded with Team and Coach (Ricki Herbert) selections.

There are 13 finalists named in the three categories from which the supreme Halberg Award winner will be chosen - Sportsman (5), Sportswoman (4), Sports Team (4).

Voting for the Westpac Halberg Awards is carried out by a Voting Academy comprising 29 media representatives, coaches and athletes who have excelled at the highest level. The highly-competitive Westpac Sportsman of the Year category was clearly difficult for the academy to narrow down to the regulation four finalists, with five finalists put forward. They include the rowing single scull world senior and lightweight world champions Drysdale and Grant, Black Caps captain and outstanding all-rounder Daniel Vettori, All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, who was named the IRB ‘Player of the Year’ and Indy racing League driver Scott Dixon, who this year became the most successful driver in the IRL.

Four finalists have been confirmed in the Westpac Emerging Talent category, limited to individuals yet to achieve international success at elite senior level, which carries a $15,000 scholarship from Westpac. They are Sam Webster (cycling), Aaron Cruden (rugby), Robbie Manson (rowing) and Sam Meech (sailing).

The awards organised each year by the Halberg Trust, salute outstanding achievement by New Zealanders in sport at home and overseas over the 12-month calendar period. All category winners and the Halberg Award recipient, widely regarded as the ultimate accolade for sporting excellence by a New Zealander, will be announced at a glittering black tie dinner at the SKY CITY Convention Centre in Auckland on Thursday, February 04, 2010.

In the Westpac ‘Sportswoman of the Year’ category Valerie Vili, who went through the year unbeaten, is joined by three other world champions; the cycling pair of Alison Shanks (individual pursuit) and Sarah Walker (BMX Olympic Class) plus Sophie Pascoe, winner of four gold medals - all in world record time - at the 2009 Paralympic Swimming Championships.

The All Whites are joined in the Westpac ‘Sports Team of the Year’ category by rowing world champions Storm Uru and Peter Taylor (lightweight double scull), Eric Murray and Hamish Bond (senior pair), and the sailing 420 women’s world champions, Alexandra Maloney and Bianca Barbarich-Bacher.

The SPARC Coach of the Year finalists are Richard Tonks, mentor of Drysdale, Murray and Bond, Tim Carswell, head coach of the cycling team at the 2009 World Track Championships, All Whites boss Ricki Herbert and Kirsten Hellier, coach of Valerie Vili.

The Voting Academy for the Westpac Halberg Awards, which had 68 nominations to consider, includes:
Philippa Baker Hogan, Richard Becht, Hamish Carter, Ron Cheatley, Mathew Cooper, Graeme Crosby, Andy Dalton, Howard Dobson, Daniel Gilhooly, Steve Gurney, Andy Hay, Rachael Henderson, Debbie Hockley, Jayne Kiely, Dave Leggat, Danyon Loader, Jonathan Millmow, Peter Montgomery, Ron Palenski, Farah Palmer, Ramesh Patel, Mark Richardson, Anna Rowberry, Mark Sorensen, Mike Stanley, Howie Tamati, Dick Tayler, Brendan Telfer and Kevin Tutty.


The Finalists for the 2009 Westpac Halberg Awards are:

Westpac New Zealand ‘Sportsman of the Year’
Scott Dixon (motor sport), Mahe Drysdale (rowing), Duncan Grant (rowing), Richie McCaw (rugby) and Daniel Vettori (cricket).

Westpac New Zealand ‘Sportswoman of the Year’
Sophie Pascoe (swimming), Alison Shanks (cycling), Valerie Vili (athletics) and Sarah Walker (BMX cycling).

Westpac New Zealand ‘Sports Team of the Year’
All Whites (football), men’s senior pair (rowing), men’s lightweight double scull (rowing), women’s 420 (sailing)

The supreme trophy, the Halberg Award, will be chosen from one of the above. The 2008 Halberg Award went to world shot put champion Valerie Vili.

Where Have All The Extroverts Gone?

I arrived in Wellington three years ago publicly slaying the extroverts in Wellington, but now I have come to the conclusion that plenty of extroverts who used to rule the social roost at The Street have actually got themselves hooked up and now the singles scene is lopsided with introverts slightly dominating. Ironically I state this as I sit at home alone on a Saturday night. The world has conspired against me this weekend socially as Parachute, Wellington Races, ACDC and a few other private parties have weeded out potential activity companions leaving me flying solo for most of the day. I have become more of a social butterfly and borderline extrovert who has more fun in large groups and have been left wondering if some people don't mind having days off on their own as "personal" time. I guess I have been used to always having things on, so the more you get used to it, the harder it is. I must say that organising social events is often unrewarding, but given the lack of extroverts who want to invite all comers along to different church gatherings rather than the introverts who seem more satisfied in their current smaller "click", it is an important part of building safer communities together. Always blow on your pie!

It leaves me at home watching some amazing tennis a year after I was over in Melbourne. It gets more difficult to accept you are not over there watching the most amazing tennis in summery Melbourne. It was a blast watching Fed and Nadal slug it out over five sets, I wonder when the next flight leaves for Melbourne!

With heaps of people out of town this weekend, I have decided I need to forward plan a bit better so I end up making the most of life. I really want an overseas trip this year, preferably somewhere warm! Who is up for a July trip to Gold Coast? Maybe Easter in the Coromandel? Let me know. As one of the few single organising extros at the Street, it could be up to me to make this happen!

Apple iPad Tablet - Where Does It Fit In?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/gadgets/3269674/Apple-unveils-iPad-tablet-with-onscreen-keyboard

Apple has unveiled an iTablet which is a bit like a massive iPhone but more of a laptop size. It will be interesting to see how it goes and if it takes over from Notebooks and Laptops? They will have the Apple applications and you will be able to download ebooks off the Internet and read them on it. Prices start at around $700 NZ for 16GB version. For further details see the link above.

Where do you think it will fit on the market? It is cheaper than a laptop but will it provide enough for most users?

For He's A Jolly Good Fellow!

With the recent spate of birthdays and this blog reaching the amazing 1000 blog posts achievement there have been heaps of opportunities to sing the two most popular songs in the English language, "Happy Birthday to you" and "For He's A Jolly Good Fellow". The third most popular song is "Auld Lang Syne". But with the recent celebrations there was conjecture about whether to sing "and so say all of us" or "which nobody can deny"? It ends up the former is British/Australian and the latter is American. They are often combined. That clears that a up! I think the combined is the way to go! Apparently "For He's A Jolly Good Fellow" is widely sang in movies because "Happy Birthday to you" has copyright issues. Check out the lyrics below!

American version
For he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow
For he's a jolly good fellow (hold then)(pause), which nobody can deny
Which nobody can deny, which nobody can deny
For he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow
For he's a jolly good fellow (hold then)(pause), which nobody can deny!
[edit]British and Australian version
For he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow
For he's a jolly good fellow (pause), and so say all of us
And so say all of us, and so say all of us
For he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow
For he's a jolly good fellow (pause), and so say all of us

It is amazing how despite being the third most popular song in the English language hardly anyone knows the words to "Auld Lang Syne". So here are the lyrics! I am not sure why you change from holding hands to crossing arms holding hands and stepping towards the middle of a circle?

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne ?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup !
and surely I’ll buy mine !
And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS
We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine ;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine† ;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS
And there’s a hand my trusty friend !
And give us a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

Beer Wench Wanted Advertisement Appropriate?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3260409/Beer-ad-draws-more-whines-than-wenches

An advertisement for a beer wench to fetch beverages for a group of men at the Wellington Sevens is getting more complaints than applicants. The details are in the article above but basically these guys want a "midget" or "large breasted women" to get them beers during the tournament so they don't have to leave their seats.

I find it a bit of bad taste but suggest that it isn't worth complaining about it to Trade Me jobs. Surely if the guys actually got some applicants, it doesn't really matter what the job is about. What about a job advertisement for certain types of people to be movie extras? Sure, they could've not used the word "midget", but I still think that it is up to the people who wrote the ad as to what they are asking for. They got responses and some free publicity from the complaints. The job actually sounds like some light hearted fun and that is why Trade Me let it run.

What do you think?

Are Some Cultures More Sensitive Than Others?

Top Russian skaters Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin, tipped for Olympic gold in Vancouver, wear brown costumes with Aboriginal motifs.



The highly regarded skaters have been criticised by members of the Australian Aborigine community for their performance. While it has been largely labelled as disrespectful, I am wondering how other nations would react to their heritage being displayed in ice skating?

How would the Celtics of Scottish descent react to kilts? Or how would the native Indians react to feathers? How would our own Maori react to a haka?

Are some cultures more sensitive than others? Some cultures often think they get the rough end of the stick, is this justified in this case? Would any nationalities embrace it? Would the Irish who are re-known for their quirky humour, a Guinness and taking the Michael O'Connor out of the themselves embrace it? Is it disrespectful?



http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/news/article/-/6707009/figure-skatingrussians-surprised-dance-offends-aborigines

It Is A Crazy But Funny World We Live In!

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/odd/6706093/chinese-marathon-cheats-hire-impostors/

This article from Yahoo looks at how over 30 runners in a marathon in China cheated in one form or another to reach a time less than 2 hours 34 minutes. These included hiring imposters to carry their micro chip and getting rides in motor vehicles. It ended up in China that students had to gain under the time to get entrance into quality colleges and cheating was the only way for some of them to do it! We need physical tests for our tertiary institutions entrance, although having to run a marathon is intense!



David Beckham was violated in public when an Italian female journalist grabbed his "Golden Balls" before running off shouting that they were small. Either this woman is crazy or she works for a show along the lines of Pulp Sport in Italy. Dear I say there would be more of an outcry if a man had done that to a woman! Becks was understandably stunned!

RIP Bill McLaren The Legend!

Here is a montage of brilliant clips from the late and great Bill McLaren.

Avatar Claims First Victim

There have been several complaints about dizziness, nausea, blurred vision and headaches after watching the awesome new film Avatar in 3D, but it has claimed a life with a 42 year old Taiwanese man with a history of high blood pressure passing away. I guess he died having fun, but it is a bit disturbing. I have been to several 3D movies and after a while you do get tired eyes, but obviously the almost three hour film took its toll. I must admit that I only saw it in 2D because 3D was booked out. It is still booked out, but by the time it isn't booked out I will be ready to see it again since it would've been nearly a month since I saw the 2D version.

http://nz.movies.yahoo.com/news/article/-/6696684/taiwan-man-dies-after-watching-avatar/

Another person to unfortunately pass away is legendary rugby commentator Bill McLaren. The canny Scotsman had impressive dulcet tones doing his commentary. He was a down to earth man from what I have heard and he came up with some beautiful sayings like were used on the game Jonah Lomu Rugby. My favourites include "He digs like a demented mole", "He swats them off like flies" and "that's a huge GarryOwen". As an aspiring commentator I have respect for the man who was well into his eighties.

In more promising news, since the weather is hot I will head to Oriental from 5:30pm and get some swim and Waboba ball action. Let me know if you are keen. This weekend is anniversary weekend and I have nothing planned. You really need to plan something especially for the Monday so I had better put my thinking cap on. To leave Wellington in search of fine weather is an option but I don't know where, when, how or with whom!

It's All Happening at the Aussie Open

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/tennis/3244380/Player-fights-with-fan-ballboy-wets-his-pants

As I look back at attending the Aussie Open last year with some satisfaction at witnessing the best final ever, I am amused by the latest happenings. World Number 88 Marcos Daniel pushed a female spectator to the ground. No doubt he was fired up after his straight sets defeat, but I am left wondering what the girl said to him. Some people are known for being fiery, but obviously Daniel had enough.

There was an even more unusual but at the same time mildly amusing moment. In fact, this poor kid will never forget this moment for the rest of his life and it would be something to bring up at his 21st. Play on court 10 was delayed after a ball boy wet himself. You would too if you were facing serves that big, but I am thinking that he didn't have the opportunity to relieve himself of his duties before he could relieve himself. Play was delayed for 40 minutes as they added sawdust to try and absorb it. It is usually something you put on puke stains at primary school. Then they tried to use a dryer but it wasn't working initially. What a claim to fame! Poor fellow!

I'm Not Harry Jenson

With the recent success of movies with New Zealand connections like the Lovely Bones and Avatar 3D is the release of the New Zealand movie I'm Not Harry Jensen on January 28th. Because they need some publicity they have decided to include anyone who changes their Facebook name to Harry Jensen or anyone who changes their status for a week to I'm not Harry Jensen will be included in the credits under the name Harry Jensen or Marketing Mafia. It is a unique way of getting advertising and I am always keen for notoriety (hey I write a blog). There are some other cool movies coming out and I have seen some corkers in recent times. Invictus will be great too, but as the weather improves it may be more of a struggle to head indoors for entertainment. Details below on how to become world famous in New Zealand.



http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/3239944/Get-your-name-in-the-credits-of-a-Kiwi-film

A Week Is A Long Time

I have been back at work just over a week and it seems strange that it is not even halfway through January yet. The post holiday blues are upon most as they return to the howling Wellington wind and the office environment with a full year ahead. The main benefit of returning to work when the weather is still patchy is that you are not wondering if your student mates are hitting the beaches, because you know they won't be. I also have extra leave stored up to use on a holiday. I really want to explore the Coromandel area one summer while also wanting to escape winter this year with a potential overseas holiday. Life is about living, with work a worthy way of paying for life.

I am over the euphoria of Emma's pool party last weekend (she has kept the photos for her personal viewing and as a reminder). Instead I had a hit of tennis with some peeps, played touch (back to the physio soon no doubt) and will tonight go to Emma's going away drinks. The social scene is back in full swing and that makes going back to work that much easier. The romance is flowing around The Street City Church making this time of year exciting. Thanks for the coffee date you know who yesterday by the way!

11 points to ponder:

1) A friend of mine returns this week from six months away, how things have changed since they left. They are going to notice so many differences that it may actually be tough initially. People have moved on either physically or relationally (hooked up).

2) Is the publicity surrounding the bowls match fixing saga detrimental or beneficial for New Zealand bowls in general? Sure it was negative news, but when was the last time bowls made the sporting headlines?

3) Is Jack Bauer the next tuna brine swilling Commonwealth Games Gold medalist?

4) When was the last time we had so many top New Zealand cricketers playing domestic in the middle of the season?

5) Why is a movie date so much more serious than going to a play?

6) I am sure there are less clicks at The Street than there were last year?

7) Was Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt joking when asked why he was in Wellington recently he replied that he had come looking for summer weather? I was in Invers before Christmas and it was better than Wellington.

8) When former flatmate Jack Bauer was interviewed on Radiosport he suggested that if you "take the velodrome out of Invercargill you are left with nothing" I cringed but then thought that he had a point, although the beauty of Invers are the characters who live there and the tranquility/open spaces.

9) Why did Lovely Bones get so much hype? It was intense, but odd to be fair. Bring on Invictus (lets all dress up in All Blacks clothing) and Astro Boy (I will wear my Astro Boy top).

10) Christian sport shouldn't be about including everyone, it should be about winning. Christians enjoy sport more when they are winning, like most other people.

11) How late in life do people play competitive sport? I am wondering this as my 2009 saw me regularly attending the physio for free, but now you have to pay and at the age of 31 I wonder if my money would be more wisely spent elsewhere.

Take The Velodrome out of Invercargill and you have nothing

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/videos/3218829
After initially getting defensive after National Road Cycling Champion Jack Bauer's outburst on Radiosport claiming that if you "take the velodrome out of Invercargill you are left with nothing", I started having a change of heart.

The place that I was born and raised in is an ideal place to grow up. The thing is, it is ideal because of the lack of entertainment rather than the amount of things to do. The Stags won the Shield, there is a great velodrome and stadium home of the Steel and Silver Ferns, but the main attraction to Invers isn't what is there, it is what isn't. Invercargill or Invers as it is affectionately known as lacks tall buildings, traffic, queues and people, but this makes it great. I go down there and forget about the pressures of life in the big smoke. I get access to most of the chain stores without any queues. Nobody is in a hurry in Invers, peak hour traffic doesn't really exist on the flat wide streets and there are plenty of parks and land for outdoor pursuits. The same goes with the nearby area like Oreti Beach where Burt Munro famously raced and the beaches, rivers, forrests and parks ideal for pursuits like fishing, hunting and picnicing. Invers is within reach of Stewart Island, Riverton, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Dunedin, the Catlins and Central Otago all within three hours. So before I call for Jack Bauer (he is a mate so this article is in slight gest) to be hanged, drawn and quartered before being locked out of Invercargill (the base for the best cycle race in the country where he got second earlier this year) I must confess he does have a point, but needs to be shown the best outdoor places to visit.

Finally, the people of Invercargill are a friendly bunch and that is where my family resides. Southern folk get defensive about the weather but southern folk are so much more genuine and down to earth in general.

In summary, the people and amount of open spaces make Invers Bauer, not the lack of cafes, casinos, theatres, malls and offices. The sporting facilities though are better in Invers than many other larger centres.

Bauer National Champion

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/3218742/Jack-Bauer-wins-national-road-cycling-title

Jack Bauer my former flatmate who has become the most powerful beast in New Zealand cycling, won the National Champs road race today. Bauer went over to Belgium to cut his teeth in professional cycling and is seeing results. He got second at the Tour of Southland and won eight races in Belgium. I used to see him doing bicycle tricks as a cycle courier in Wellington and when I flatted with him in Dunners he was big into his tuna (brine included) and mountain biking, but switched to the road. To quote a well known piece of commentary from 1936 Olympics - "Goooo Jack, goooo Jack, well done Jack!".

Pakistan Fall Short Against Australia

I can't believe Pakistan fell short of their total of 176 in the fourth innings of the second test match against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. You have to wonder how the Aussies escaped with a 36 run win. The record partnership between Michael Hussey and tailender Peter Siddle will come under scrutiny. Wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal dropped four catches as these two gave the Australian bowlers something to bowl at with a 123 run partnership. It has to raise a few eyebrows that one player drops four catches in such a short space of time. With Pakistan involved it almost makes you think of bookmakers. Remember Younis Khan dropping a dolly against the Blackcaps in the Champions Trophy? It seems that Pakistan will always be tarnished with the potential to be involved in dubious betting scandals, but no one really knows how deep it runs.

Yearning For Summer

I have a yearning for some more summer holidays. I returned to a relatively empty city and workplace yesterday. The temperature was in stark contrast to my time up north. It is funny that usually I take an extra week off work and spend all summer (3 weeks) break in the lower South Island. It means that I can't wait to get back to friends and the relative warmth of Wellington. It also makes returning to work easier. This time I split my two weeks between Invers and Hawkes Bay and didn't get round to planning an extra week of holiday. Because I was in the sunny Hawkes Bay and I only took two weeks holiday, it has been harder than usual getting back into work.

I still have plenty of summer left and holidays owing, so hopefully I will go somewhere else for a break.

Final point. What is this year called? We spent the last 10 years calling the year two thousand and something, yet a century ago it was 1905 (nineteen 0 five). Next year will it be twenty eleven or two thousand and eleven? It is probably easier to say twenty whatever, but it is an interesting conundrum which I was querying two months ago, yet the Dominion Post wrote an article today. The year William conquered was 1066 not one thousand and sixty six.

Y2K Has Hit

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/world/6647036/millions-hit-by-german-bank-card-software-glitch/
30 million German bank cards have stopped working after a computer glitch based on failure to recognise the year 2010. It is funny how we look back 10 years and laugh at our paranoid we were about the potential problems, yet we would've been caught unawares if a similar thing happened in New Zealand.

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/world/6647238/us-man-accused-of-snipping-hair-on-bus/
A man is in trouble after he snipped the hair of a female passenger while he sat behind her on a bus. I have often contemplated it after sitting behind a guy in lectures when I was at university. He had long greasy here which he kept in a pony tail. The guy in this case has also stuck passengers hair to the seats. It sounds like this guy doesn't know when he has crossed the line.

I am glad that a protester has been arrested at the ASB Bank classic tennis tournament. The rowdy mob protesting about Israel's treatment of Palestinians whenever Israeli player Shahal Peer plays is embarrassing. They did the same gig last year and apparently New Zealand is the only country she has had problems with. It is the 1981 Springbok tour all over!

Belated Happy New Years

I am back and preparing to return to work tomorrow. My time in Hawkes Bay for New Years wasn't what I expected, but at the same time I still had a blast in the warm weather which is an improvement on the usual unpredictable south.

We went to Hawkes Bay and stayed 15 minutes from Napier in a beautiful house. The funny thing was that I only knew a handful of the people I stayed with, but only Rochelle, the organiser knew everyone. I also had friends staying in Napier itself, but it became a hassle organising many rendez-vous points as we were separated by several kilometres. I ended up mainly hanging with the few mates I stayed with, but got to know the others really well as they were all really friendly.


Highlights, the stunning scenery were we were staying, the wineries we visited, Ocean Beach, A-Maze-in Maze, Cheese Tasting, Mini Golf, Sweet Shops and the various cafes and wineries, and of course, the weather.

I introduced Waboba Ball to Hawkes Bay during my three swims. I am tired and need to go to bed. I have over indulged too much over the last few weeks and holidaying at New Zealand's wine capital didn't help, as I drank more wine than I have ever had.