The End Of Internet Growth - 9/9/11

The 9th September 2011 is the likely date that we will run out of webpage addresses. When founders created the Internet, they didn't bargain on social networking taking over and supposedly there are only about 300,000 IP addresses left. Is this a conspiracy like the Millenium Bug? Who knows, but I thought it is kind of interesting!


http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/3763512/Coming-shortage-of-internet-addresses

A Pinch and A Punch - No Returns

Since it is the 1st of June (winter has started) in New Zealand I thought I would look into the traditional sayings and where they come from. A pinch and a punch for the first of the month is deemed to come from a pinch of salt and a punch are needed to get rid of witches. It is an interesting interpretation, but it also mentions the "no returns". I was brought up with "white rabbits" too. This all gets explained on Wikipedia below. What a reference!

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/pinch_and_a_punch_for_the_first_of_the_month

Which One Was More Important?

Yesterday there was a clash of the codes as far as sports news went. Which one do you think was more important? The All Whites beating Serbia or the naming of the 2010 All Black squad?

Why?

Celebrities Pass Away

This getting older thing happens to the best of us. The scary thing now is that I can remember Gary Coleman in Different Strokes for example and within 24 hours he and Dennis Hopper (Rebel Without A Cause) have both passed away, while New Zealand's own Dame Pat Evison passed away aged 85.

I have fond memories of Pat Evison visiting my school at Surrey Park Primary School and talking to my class. She was so genuine and such a lovely woman. She was made famous by shows like Prisoner and The Flying Doctors. She was a true professional.

The All Whites Celebrate Football Win Over Serbia

Check out the video of the All Whites making history by defeating Serbia 1-0 in their pre World Cup friendly this morning NZ Time. I can't believe we won this match and the New Zealand Football team have now shown that they can be competitive against top sides. Serbia are the 15th ranked side in the world and New Zealand are 78th.

To help put this into perspective, the Serbs have players in the Premiership for Manchester United and in other top leagues including the German Bundeslege. We have a few guys who don't even have clubs and others who play in the basically amateur New Zealand Football Championship. There were two incidents where an aggrieved Serbian fan jumped onto the field and in a bizarre twist to stop the misbehaving crowd the Serbian captain Vidic who plays for Manchester United was handed the microphone and gave a stirring speech to behave. If it makes you feel any better Serbian fans, we should've tipped over the 20th ranked Australia last week. We do have two English Premier League players, a host of top flight Australian League players, some English Championship players and one guy from the top Danish league. But I won't mention to those Serbian fans that our midfield of Simon Elliot and Jeremy Christie are unattached and playing in the second top league in the USA respectively. It may make these passionate fans, mad!

Our lads mean business and are playing their 343 formation really well and that goal from Shane Smeltz in the first half was brilliant! We won over Serbia 1-0 and it will be interesting to see which gets more headlines in New Zealand, this historic win or the first All Blacks rugby team of the year being named?

What do you think?

Capital Football Cancels Most Grades - I Can't Believe Some People Are Still Playing

It seems that the heavy rain that has fallen everyday since Monday has cancelled most matches of Capital Football. The grounds don't need to be damaged anymore, but it always leaves me at a loose end on these wet Saturdays, and there will probably be plenty more. At least most other grades are cancelled, so hardly anyone will be playing and having fun without me. The only grades still on at this stage May 29th in Wellington are Capital 7, 10 and 16 and Masters 2. I think these grades were cancelled last week when most of us were playing in the glorious sunshine. They get to play in terrible conditions. Needless to say, it will be soft ground boots from now on this season!

Rugby or Football?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/3747961/Phoenix-put-millions-in-Wellingtons-coffers

I read an article in the Dom Post (see above) about how the Wellington Phoenix are putting millions of dollars into the Wellington economy, far more than the Hurricanes or Lions. Average crowds for the Phoenix thanks to the playoffs in the main are higher than for the Hurricanes or Lions.

I went to three matches of football this year and two games of rugby so far (although I had a season pass last season and went to about 10 games). I must say that it is far more fun at the football, the crowd is far more entertaining and the game is far more simple. I must agree with the final statement from the rugby dude in the article who suggests that the rugby is getting more entertaining this year thanks to the interpretation of the laws than it has been previously. The last two Hurricanes games I went to were really exciting.

How many games have you been to this year?

Hot or Not? Yay or Gay?

I bought these ear muffs for $1 at a work table top clearance sale. They are warm to wear, but I initially bought them as they do slightly block out some sound around the office. As the weather gets colder I wonder if these are a bit girly to wear outside for their proper use like, in public? Do you think I have become one of those Wellington metros? Are these ear muffs coupled with my fur hood, taking it that one step closer to the flamboyant side? I think the idea of wearing ear muffs is great as on cold days I often just get cold ears, so they would ideal. And besides, they also wouldn't mess up my hair. Will they lock me out of Invers and throw the key away for this latest venture? Should I justify them by inserting my MP3 player so I can listen to music? Surely Jesus still loves me if I wear ear muffs? I see people wearing all sorts of random clothing and accessories around Wellington, am I now one of these people?

Please place your votes? Hot or not? Yay or Gay?

Two Year Old Boy Addicted to Cigarettes!

I saw this article here

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/opinion/post/-/blog/sarahurlich/post/88/comment/1/

A two year old Sumatran boy is addicting to smoking 40 cigarettes a day. Is this for real? Are his parents really that stupid? This kid is heading for a ridiculously early grave unless there is intervention.

The Free Movie Ticket Saga

Dear Reading Courtenay

As a Reading Reel Club member I was stoked to reach 500 points and get a coupon for a free movie. This is the maximum loyalty reward one can get from the Reading Reel club. It is more substantial than the $5 off or free ice cream or large drink, or so I thought. The only problem is that one of the conditions of the ticket is that you can't use it for the No Free Ticket movies (NFT). The only problem is that everytime that someone I know has been going to the movies, we are attending a NFT, because most movies are classified as these for about two weeks (unless they are Avatar 3D which for some strange reason still is a NFT). Hence, my disappointment that despite attending Reading several times in the last few months, I haven't been able to use my free loyalty reward and now it has passed the 6/5/2010 expiry date. I counted today the NFT movies and was astounded that it was 5/12 or nearly 50%, but I am sure with great movies like Ironman 2 and Robin Hood being released in recent weeks, that it has been even higher. Surely the point of these vouchers isn't to trick loyal Reading Reel Club members into paying full price? I ended up paying $16 tonight to go to Reading and see a film which has been out a few weeks. I thought the main idea of getting a voucher for a free movie was a reward so that people go along and take their paying friends and maybe buy some food at the overpriced Candy Bar? The movies that have been no NFT in recent weeks have been B Grade chick flicks that no male in their right mind would want to attend. Is there any way I can use my expired ticket?

Regards
Scotty Donaldson "Movie Buff"

Blind Side - Heart Warming Christian Movie

I went and saw the movie Blind Side tonight. It was a heartwarming tale about an underprivileged big boy (Michael Oher) who was taken in by a Christian family and Christian high school. He eventually became an NFL player for the Baltimore Ravens. It was funny seeing Sandra Bullock as the mother. This movie made me wonder why I didn't do my schooling in the USA where high school sports a highly regarded. It was funny when there was training taking place and in the background there were absolutely useless people playing tennis. Sports in movies is often so contrived and fake, just look at Invictus. It was a PG but makes me kind of keen to go to the USA and live as a Southern Christian. It would suit me, I reckon! The movie was actually better than I thought it would be and didn't feel like it was over two hours, but it was!

The Easiest To Live City - How Many Have You Been To? Auckland or Wellington

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3739128/Wellington-less-livable-than-Auckland

I have been to Geneva, Auckland, Bern, Sydney, Copenhagen, Wellington and Melbourne. I like these cities very much, although obviously Wellington should be ahead of Auckland.

Top 20 cities: Quality of living ranking

1. Vienna
2. Zurich
3. Geneva
4. Vancouver
5. Auckland
6. Dusseldorf
7. Frankfurt
8. Munich
9. Bern
10. Sydney
11. Copenhagen
12. Wellington
13. Amsterdam
14. Ottawa
15. Brussels
16. Toronto
17. Berlin
18. Melbourne
19. Luxembourg
20. Stockholm

How many have you been to? I have been to 7. Do you think Auckland or Wellington should be highest?

Ginga's Have Souls - Boycott Hug A Ginga Day!

The debate raged last night on Close Up between The Edge's Dominic and a disgruntled father of two bullied red headed boys. This raises an interesting debate. We all have red haired friends, family, colleagues, team mates and if they get hassled we will have to hear about it from them for months on end. Break the cycle! Rusty, Ginge, Carrot Top, Ginger Nut, the list of put downs goes on and if some people had their way it would stop. In an attempt to have a day associated with hugging the red heads (Hug a Ginger Day 2010), to embrace them as part of New Zealand society, it has actually created more awareness of the "ginga" types as being different and objects of public ridicule/hassle everyday, as they are now objects. Friday according to several family and friends is a bad day for them depending on their profession and who happens to hug,grab or tackle them. It now also means the "gingas" are objectified much like people of other ethnicities, sexualities and genders used to be. These days we are taught to be politically correct and not label people as being "gay" or whatever, but because hassling someone's hair colour is not really frowned upon at this stage by society, heaps of people are more likely to hassle on hair colour rather than on sexuality.

In saying this, I am not completely against the idea of the day as it a hug is usually a sign of affection. It is the concept of objectifing people of Celtic descent who happen to have fair skin and red hair. I also think that red heads should not live up to their feisty reputation for one day and literally embrace the special attention that comes their way!

What do you think about Hug A Ginga Day? A bit of fun? People are too PC? or Does it make you feel objectified?

I am interested!

Rules For Romance in the Technology Age

http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/3734087/The-new-rules-for-romance

This article is a guide to romance in the 21st century including the use of Facebook, texting and the Internet to help your lovelife. It is quite interesting!

What are your thoughts? Should texting and Facebooking replace a good old fashioned face to face conversation?

Last of the Breed!

I thought I would use one of the classic song titles from 1990s band The Swede Eaters for this piece. Jerry Winders would have it no other way. Something alarming has dawned on me over the last few days. It stems from being asked by somebody how long it takes to feel like you really belong at The Street. I thought about this and replied about nine months. One of those defining occasions was Muzza Jones's 30th Birthday and the now famous YMCA/ Nooma lip sync which showed the world that I had arrived at The Street and was taken off You Tube for being too popular.

The reason I called this post Last of The Breed is because I go through the other members of the flamboyant act that night (The Village People) and note that the Ben (the Builder), Logan (Cowboy) and Mike (Indian) are all married, while the cop is almost down that aisle. That leaves the leatherman as the The Last of the Breed. Don't worry, it is nothing to be alarmed about. While most boy bands have one gay member and I was wearing mesh and leathers that night, I still play with a straight bat!

Anyway, I think there should be another lip sync competition three years later, they are a great way to get to know heaps of people.

Same Old Aussies, Always Cheating!

I was so proud of the All Whites gallant 2-1 defeat to Australia on a wet Melbourne Cricket Ground tonight. They gave kiwis all over the world every right to feel proud tonight for several reasons.

The All Whites said in the lead up that there may be some injuries in the upcoming fixture and were ridiculed by the hot headed Australians as being unprofessional. The Aussie Socceroos were the ones looking unprofessional when they were lucky not to be down to nine men in the first half after several blatant studs up tackles. I thought this was supposed to be a friendly? We then went up first through Chris Killen and actually dominated the first half and were a threat in the air, despite losing Leo Bertos and later Tim Brown to injuries. Thanks Aussies I thought this was a friendly? The flustered Aussies were up against it and fought back well as the teams cleared the benches. The Australians scored a goal in the second half which was well taken. We probably got a bit defensive as we brought on some new central defenders. But it looked like it was heading for a draw as the match official held up a sign saying 3 minutes of stoppage time left. With 94 minutes gone, yes, you read correctly the Aussies score a nice goal through Brett Holman, but surely the match should've been over by then. I thought a draw was the most deserved result and I would've probably taken a 2-1 away defeat based on the quality of players and their respective clubs they play for, but I feel gutted. The All Whites were underdogs and did not only lose two players to shocking red card type tackles, but to concede a goal after 94 minutes when the game should've been finished, you wonder why no one likes the Australians! Same old Aussies, always cheating!

Good luck in the World Cup Australia, before this game I was going to be cheering for you as my second team. I don't think I will bother now, you lost my respect!

Rutledge "Blown Away" By Support

http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/sport/3721834/Rutledge-blown-away-with-support

The Jason Rutledge For All Black Selection group I set up is gathering momentum with 1200 followers now signed up and Rutledge himself is humbled by the efforts. It really is a warm fuzzy story and it would be awesome if he got selected for the All Blacks. Read the article above from the Southland Times!

Does he have a chance? 1200 people think so! There are some big names in there too, but no All Black selectors yet.

Check Out This Funny Video - Horse Racing!

Jimmy Jacques lost his voice when calling the races in South Australia recently. I saw this on television and had to share it with you guys. It is pretty funny given how important your vocal chords are when your job is a race caller. I love the play on words with "Hoarse race caller"!

What do you think?

My Mention On The Southland Times Front Page - Jason Rutledge For All Black Selection!

My Facegroup group calling for Stags hooker Jason Rutledge to be included in the All Black squad has gained momentum with a mention on the front page of the Southland Times today. See the image above which shows just how my group which I casually set up thinking I was going to get a small handful of loyal supporters has gotten out of control with over 800 members last time I checked.

If you are keen to join the group go to http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=122470011111511

I'm Not Harry Jenson DVD Release

I'm Not Harry Jenson DVD is being released and it will be interesting to see how good it is. I was sucked in by their savy social networking promotion and included the movie title in my status updates for a week. In return my name is in the credits, but it will be interesting to see if it is and how good the movie is. Otherwise there will be several hundred disappointed people, although at least several hundred people will buy or hire your DVD even if it is mainly not to see the film, but see the credits. Look under Marketing Mafia in the credits to see my name.

Jason Rutledge For All Black Selection?

With the serious injury to the Hurricanes and All Black hooker Andrew Hore, a callup to hard-working and long time Southland stalwart Jason "Cabbage" Rutledge. He has been in impressive form for the Highlanders this season and despite being 32, seems to be like a good wine, maturing with age. He has often struggled to cement a starting line-up place in the Southland Stags until recently, yet through hard work and training has all of a sudden become an All Black contender. Keven Mealamu is a shoe in, while with three hookers in the squad, the other options show how little depth we have in this country, with Rutledge battling against Aled de Malmanche, Hika Elliot and Ti'i Paulo for the other two spots. I am a Southlander and have seen Rutledge mature as a player for years. He is noticeable around the field with his closely cut hair. I would say on form, he is probably in the top three, but does age and experience count against him or for him? He is more rugged and tough than the other contenders. Hookers mature late as Mealamu and Hore are both quality and a similar age.

Here is his player profile.

http://www.rugbysouthland.co.nz/index.php?pageLoad=90&teamID=18&sm=

There is also a Facebook group I created as support for the All Black selectors to not overlook Rutledge just because of his age.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=122470011111511&v=app_2392950137#!/group.php?gid=122470011111511
Will Rutledge make the All Blacks? Have your say!

Michelada Recipe: Spicy Mexican Beer Drink

Michelada Recipe: Spicy Mexican Beer Drink
I went to a friends farewell and someone had the sense of adventure to buy a spicy Michelada which is a Mexican drink. This drink was so bad by our standards with chilli, Tabasco sauce and beer along with other stuff thrown in like salt and soy sauce. This did the whole rounds with the group we were in and we didn't even get through half of it. It added to the conversation though. It was a great crew at the Flying Burrito Brothers, but none of us were quiet sold on the Nichelada.

Have You Seen This Kiwi In London?

http://johnsleigh.wordpress.com/
A friend of mine's brother is missing in London and I am wondering if anyone has seen him. His name is Johnny Sleigh and he went missing a week ago after a night out in London. There are details on this website. If you have any details then please get in touch with the Police.

There is also a Facebook group, for further details go to:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=102390276474136&v=wall&ref=mf

Shane Bond Quits Cricket

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/3697432/Shane-Bond-retires-from-all-cricket

Shane Bond has retired. He was so awesome when he played but because of the injuries and his stupid ban for playing in the non sanctioned Indian Cricket League I still think we never saw enough of him. He was our only bowler since Hadlee to put fear into opposition batsmen. I loved the way he ripped through the Aussies. But he is in his mid thirties and constantly battling injury, so he has to pull up stumps on his career at some stage. With both him and Iain O'Brien leaving in quick succession our bowling lineup will be average for a few years. We just need to unearth another talent who can bowl over 140km/h.

FIFA World Cup Picks - Join My Competition

http://Tvnz.footytips.co.nz/comps/FIFA_World_Cup_2010_Picks
Football will take centre stage in a month when the All Whites compete in the FIFA World Cup. I have set up a competition to add to the enjoyment of the games. This means that there is something riding on every game. It does cost to enter, but it makes it more fun. Seriously, the results are rather unpredictable with so many great sides and draws become a rather popular result, so anyone can play. Follow the link above if you want to join.

Who Hasn't Thought About Doing This?

I read this article about a 22 year old who pretended to be 16 years old and became the star of a high school basketball team. I have actually often thought about this both academically and sporting wise. You develop both physically and mentally between 18-22 that you could go back to high school and scoop heaps of awards and prizes. Unfortunately it is a crime and this guy is facing a fine or time in jail.

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/basketball/news/article/-/7221021/22yearold-poses-high-school-star

Who else out there has thought about going back to school in their 20s and dominating at sports or academically? I am hoping me and this guy are not the only ones! What was it at? Tennis, touch and football for mine and maybe some high school maths would seem so much easier when you had studied it at university and then go back!

Speed Dating For The Young At Heart!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/3689574/A-mature-step-for-speed-dating

I read an interesting article in The Press about Speed Dating for those aged 60-75. Good on them I say, it is unique way of meeting lots of people fast and then if you don't get on, you are only stuck talking to them for about 3 minutes. Of course, I am speaking from experience! It is funny reading about some of the characters though!

Traction Film Festival 2010

It is less than 24 hours until the 2010 Traction Film Festival. This is the third competition. The first year I was a judge. Last year we made the film shown above and it didn't play properly, causing us to cringe and leave promptly as all the hard work of making it was jerky and the audio and video were out of sync. These short films are getting better and better and the team organising it do a great job. I have to say that the movie above didn't win any prizes (there wasn't a costume award despite us having three guys well over six foot in lycra), but it was really fun to make. I guess the sign of a great movie is one that is fun to make and fun to watch. I also remember last year there were some films made with only two people involved. To me this is a cop out as they are supposed to build team spirit and require a great variety of cast to a truly great movie. It will be interesting to see the entrants this year, but I am a judge again, this way I avoid the disappointment and hard work! Any bribes considered but won't necessarily work!

What: Traction Film Festival - Formal theme!
When: Thursday Night, movies start at 7:30pm sharp.
Who: People from The Street
Where: The Street City Church on Hania Street.

Who will win? Will you be going? Have your say!

Why women take so long in public toilets!

A friend of mine posted this on Facebook, shedding light finally on those endless minutes waiting around and also wondering why there is often a massive line for the ladies, yet an almost empty gents room when I go to "powder my nose".



"When you have to visit a public bathroom, you usually find a line of women, so you smile politely and take your place.

Once inside the actual bathroom (instead of trailng out down the hall) you check for feet under the stall doors. Every stall is occupied. Finally, a door opens and you dash in, nearly knocking down the woman leaving the stall. You get in to find the door won't latch. It doesn't matter, the wait has been so long you are about to wet your pants. The dispenser for the modern "seat covers" (invented by someone's Mom, no doubt) is handy, but empty. You would hang your purse on the door hook, if there was one, but there isn't - so you carefully, but quickly drape it around your neck, (Mom would turn over in her grave if you put it on the FLOOR!), yank down your pants, and assume " The Stance."
In this position (God I should have gone to the gym!!!) your thigh muscles begin to shake.
You'd love to sit down, but you certainly hadn't taken time to wipe the seat or lay toilet paper on it, so you hold "The Stance". To take your mind off your trembling thighs, you reach for what you discover to be the empty toilet paper dispenser.

You remember the tiny tissue that you blew your nose on yesterday - the one that's still in your purse. (Oh yeah, the purse around your neck). That will have to do. You crumple it in the puffiest way possible. It's still smaller than your thumbnail.

Someone pushes your door open because the latch doesn't work. "Occupied!" you scream, as you reach for the door, dropping your precious, tiny, crumpled tissue in a puddle on the floor, lose your footing altogether, and slide down directly onto the TOILET SEAT.

It is wet of course.

You bolt up, knowing all too well that it's too late. Your bare bottom has made contact with every imaginable germ and life form on the uncovered seat because YOU never laid down toilet paper - not that there was any, even if you had taken time to try.

You know that your mother would be utterly appalled if she knew, because, frankly, dear, "You just don't KNOW what kind of diseases you could get". By this time, the automatic sensor on the back of the toilet is so confused that it flushes, propelling a stream of water like a fire hose against the inside of the bowl that sprays a fine mist of water that covers your butt. The flush somehow sucks everything down with such force that you grab onto the empty toilet paper dispenser for fear of being dragged in too.
At this point, you give up. You're soaked by the spewing water and the wet toilet seat. You're e-x-h-a-u-s-t-e-d. You try to wipe with a gum wrapper you found in your pocket and then slink out inconspicuously to the sinks.
You can't figure out how to operate the faucets with the automatic sensors, ......so you wipe your hands with spit and a dry paper towel and walk past the line of women still waiting.
You are no longer able to smile politely to them.

A kind soul at the very end of the line points out a piece of toilet paper trailing from your shoe. (Where was that when you NEEDED it??) You yank the paper from your shoe, plunk it in the woman's hand and tell her warmly, "Here, you just might need this".

As you exit, you spot your significant other, who has long since entered, used, and left the men's restroom.
Annoyed, he asks, "What took you so long, and why is your purse hanging around your neck?" ..................

Pfft. I hope this finally explains to the men what really does take us so long. It also answers their other commonly asked questions about why women go to the restroom in pairs. It's so the other chick can hold the door, hang onto your purse, and hand you Kleenex under the door!

I hope this makes everything fall into place now. The other question is why do guys spend ages in non public toilets and why is it awkward when your boss keeps making chit chat at the toilets? It is usually a speech free zone in the Gents.

At Last, An Excuse! Overworking is bad for you! Take the rest of the day off!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/world/3686856/Memo-to-boss-11-hour-days-are-bad-for-the-heart

A Finnish study suggests those that work more than the usual seven-eight hour day suffer from bad hearts and are therefore more likely to have health problems. This makes sense and provides thousands of New Zealanders with an excuse for avoiding working overtime. If there is any doubt, take the rest of the day off work and reference me and this article if your boss starts telling you off!

Does this make you want to work less? Are you feeling guilty at working overtime? Have your say!

Hug A Ginga Day - Lets Keep It Positive

Hug A Ginga Day is supposed to be something positive when it comes about on 28th May 2010 in New Zealand. The gingers often get bad press, but despite being known for being feisty, they are a good bunch who often get portrayed negatively. They are a minority, yet it doesn't seem P.C. to hassle other minorities like Maori or Pacific Islanders, so therefore since there aren't many hug a Maori days, I would say keep hug a ginga day positive.

It is probably fine depending on your profession and the obvious nature of your hair colour. My sister is a school teacher and had a rough day being constantly hassled, tackled and awkwardly hugged by her students. I guess it has the ability to get inappropriate in the wrong hands this day. It is so bad that I accidentially brought up almost a year later and still copped an earful.

I would say about 5% of New Zealanders (more than that down south) have some kind of ginge tinge. There are heaps of cute children with ginger hair who appear in commercials and in magazines, but once Marc Ellis started hassling the red haired types then it became the cool thing to do along with hassling dwarves. Gingers often are portrayed as feisty and struggle with their fare skin in the summer sun. I should know since my three brothers and sisters will be getting hugs on this day!

It seems that thousands are going to be into it on Friday 28th May. There is a Facebook group http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=115177338520433&ref=ts. The main issue for me is, how well do you have to know someone before you can hug them on Friday 28th May? Do you go up to absolute strangers? Is it alright to guy on guy hug on such a day?

Thoughts/comments? Is this a great idea for a day? How well do you have to know someone to hug them? How ginger do you have to be? Have your say!

Predictable All Whites Squad Named One Shot For Glory!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-cup/3676399/All-Whites-World-Cup-squad-named

Aaron Clapham is the bolter, Winston Reid is the other uncapped player and David Mulligan has held his place as All Whites coach Ricki Herbert unveiled his World Cup squad in Auckland today.

Clapham, the 23-year-old midfielder from Canterbury United, forced his way into the mix by backing up an oustanding domestic season with a fruitful effort at the just-completed training camp.

He was one of the stars as the New Zealand A - the Australasian-based All Whites - cruised to a 2-0 win over the New Zealand Football Championship All Stars at Albany yesterday.

Reid gets in after being uncovered playing for FC Midtjylland in Denmark and will be used to bolster the defensive area where young Ipswich Town pro Tommy Smith has already made a mark with his debut against Mexico.

Mulligan, who can play defence and midfield, has done enough to maintain his place in the squad despite a bizarre season that saw him unused by the Wellington Phoneix in the magical run to third place in the A-League.

All 18 players involved in the World Cup qualifying series win voer Bahrain have maintained their places.

The five additions from there are Clapham, Reid, Smith, Melbourne Victory goalkeeper James Bannantyne and Jeremy Christie.

New Zealand World Cup squad:

James Bannatyne

Andy Barron

Leo Bertos

Andy Boyens

Jeremy Brockie

Tim Brown

Jeremy Christie

Aaron Clapham

Simon Elliott

Rory Fallon

Chris Killen

Tony Lochhead

Michael McGlinchey

Glen Moss

David Mulligan

Ryan Nelsen

Mark Paston

Winston Reid

Ben Sigmund

Shane Smeltz

Tommy Smith

Ivan Vicelich

Chris Wood


The interesting selections are how David Mulligan and Jeremy Christie can't get any game time for the Phoenix, yet still make it. Costa Barbourses does get game time but he can't make it. It looks like Christie, Mulligan or Clapham may claim that right back position, unless we decide to play with three central defenders. Duncan Oughton plays in MLS and starts, yet he didn't make it despite Ryan Nelson wanting him.

What do you think of the side? Have your say!

2010 FIFA World Cup Odds Are Out - We Don't Rate Our Chances!

New Zealand are favoured to get no points at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, that is from the NZ TAB which usually favours us, so this just shows how much we will be up against it when we play Slovakia, Paraguay and Italy.

1 0 points 1.72
2 1 point 2.85
3 2 points 8.00
4 3 points 7.50
5 4 points 20.00
6 5 points 200.00
7 6 points 60.00
8 7 points 300.00
9 9 points 750.00

The All Whites are also ranked the bottom side with odds of $500 for us to win. I have to say that we are in an easier pool than some of the other strugglers, but our TAB obviously doesn't rate us and that is saying something!

1 Spain 2.75
2 Brazil 3.25
3 England 3.75
4 Argentina 4.75
5 Germany 5.75
6 Holland 6.50
7 Italy 6.50
8 France 8.50
9 Portugal 14.00
10 Ivory Coast 14.00
11 Ghana 28.00
12 Chile 28.00
13 Paraguay 28.00
14 Cameroon 28.00
15 Mexico 28.00
16 Serbia 28.00
17 USA 28.00
18 Nigeria 35.00
19 Uruguay 50.00
20 Denmark 50.00
21 South Africa 50.00
22 Greece 50.00
23 Australia 50.00
24 Japan 100.00
25 Switzerland 100.00
26 Slovakia 100.00
27 South Korea 125.00
28 Slovenia 125.00
29 Algeria 150.00
30 Korea DPR 250.00
31 Honduras 250.00
32 New Zealand 500.00

Who do you think will win? Do you think the All Whites have a shot at getting a win or even a point?

Boyz2Men, All4One and Charles and Eddie!

Today I spent the entire afternoon at The Loveshack flat in Newtown, where we had a range of people through and had some interesting conversations. We also had some classic 1990s music in the background. One of the girls who lives there had some Boyz2Men and while initially thinking the song "I Swear" was sung by Boyz2Men I thought I would also include that because it is actually sung by All4One. These songs bring back memories of life in my younger days going over to Tahiti on an exchange. The beauty of the songs above is that no guy freely admits to liking this music, yet most guys around in the mid 1990s actually knows the lyrics. It is like a dirty secret. I also could remember the great duo Charles and Eddie, so I included them in this post.

Who did you like the best Boyz2Men, All4One or Charles and Eddie? Does knowing lyrics to their songs make me openly fruity, or is it something that every guy back then knew, but never admitted to knowing?

Top Five Events of Your Life

I was at a wedding today and a 30th Birthday which both involved gatherings of family and friends. Now I am left wondering what the top five individual events are in your life.

Surely a wedding is top of the list according to society. It symbolises that you have achieved the ultimate by finding someone to spend the rest of your life with, but I guess these days less people experience marriage.

Other top events are potentially,

- Birth of first child
- Graduation from college - depends on what you are graduating from, medicine and really intense courses would rate it higher than a BA Graduation.
- Golden Wedding Anniversary
- 21st birthday
- First day at school
- Buying first house
- Baptism/first communion/ conversion to a religion.
- Having your first vote
- Getting your first job
- Getting your drivers license
- Your child's wedding
- Your child's first day at school
- First kiss

What do you think are the top five events in your life? I would say in order
1) Wedding
2) Birth of first child
3) 21st birthday
4) Religious conversion
5) Golden wedding

If I studied medicine or something hardcore I would've put it up there in the top five, but I consider it to be a bit of a joke when you get a BA finishing three easy years of no more than 20 hours a week.

What is your top five?

Interesting Political Parties

The hung Parliament in the United Kingdom with all of the serious snooty political types made me wonder about the range of parties that are involved in politics, so I hit up Wikipedia and discovered three joke parties which exist. These parties are

Death, Dungeons and Taxes Party - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death,_Dungeons_and_Taxes_Party

Fancy Dress Party - http://www.statemaster.com/encyclopedia/Fancy-dress-party

Official Monster Raving Loony Party, the most well-known joke party, who have run Ashburton town council (in Devon) in the past. Was officially called the Monster Raving Loony William Hill Party in the current election. Check out their website
http://loonyparty.com.nyud.net

it includes a

21 Point Plan To Win Election.

1. Always try and read the opposing political person's mind. Never wait until the other person (or country) explains itself.If that fails, try the Ouija board.

2. Judge before you are judged.

3. Never give the other side the benefit of the doubt.

4. Always jump to conclusions.

5. Never seek any outside assistance.

6. What you say is what you mean, even if that isn't so.

7. Change your mind randomly and without notice.

8. Always treat the other side like they were mentally deficient if not criminally insane.

9. Impute evil intentions to every act of the other.

10. When all else fails, do not respond at all.

11. There are two possible meanings to everything, if in doubt, explain that they took it the wrong way.

12. Launch a public relations campaign disputing your opponent.

13. Predict dire economic consequences, and ignore the cost benefits.

14. Find and pay a respected scientists to argue persuasively against incumbent government environmental policies.

15. Use non-peer reviewed scientific publications or industry-funded scientists who don't publish original peer-reviewed scientific work to support your point of view on matters of public health and environment.

16. Trumpet discredited scientific studies and myths supporting your points of view as scientific fact.

17. Point to the substantial scientific uncertainty, and the certainty of economic loss if immediate action is taken with respect to problems.

18. Use data from a local area to support your views, and ignore the global evidence.

19. Disparage scientists, saying they are playing up uncertain predictions of doom in order to get research funding when encountering global warming issues.

20. Complain that it is unfair to require regulatory action in Britain, as it would put the nation at an economic disadvantage.

21. Claim that more research is needed before action should be taken on things to do with public Health and Safety.

Who Wants To Get On The Poi E Music Video?

The song Poi E has made a comeback thanks to the film, "Boy" and New Zealand Music Month. It would be cool to be involved in the remake of the Poi E video in Manners Mall. The Patea Maori Culture Club sang this song in the 1980s after the local freezing works was shut. I wonder what happened to the guy doing the "robot"? I also wonder what happened to the young boy making the faces at the start? They are probably well into their 30s now! I never knew they used Manners Mall in the original video! So who is keen to cut some shapes in Manners to get on a video? Maybe do some robots! I wonder when they are filming it? Am I the wrong colour to be in this video?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/local/3662988/Dust-off-your-80s-moves-Poi-Es-back

Teenage fan tasered at US baseball game

They should do this everywhere to stop fans invading the field, although often pitch invaders do provide light hearted relief!

Does The Government Always Try and Take Away Your Money?

I don't usually care about politics. I am the kind of guy who always votes, but only because my parents did and that right to vote is a priviledge. Am I imagining it or does the current National Government keep trying to squeeze more money out of us? It seems that the nation was dissatisfied with Labour and given the current constant tightening of the belt I don't think National will last long, but I am no expert.
The Government keeps wanting to skin me. Firstly they chopped free physio treatment implemented by the previous Government, then they added a further levy to come out of our pay. They also hiked cigarette prices and the cost of running a motor which doesn't affect me. They tried to hike booze prices, but didn't get enough support. Now they are trying to add $50 per year to those who have student loans. Next thing, they will be charging interest again (I hope not). Do you think they are tightening the belt or it is just affecting me more than previously?

Which Show is Better The New Zealand Masterchef or Apprentice?

Checkout the shows mentioned in the videos above. It is funny because when New Zealand does these shows they don't have the same range of extreme personalities to make them really work. I preferred the Masterchef over the Apprentice. I found it to be more genuine and less contrived. Terry Serepisos (with his dubious financial record at the moment) and his henchmen just make the Apprentice tacky. The format seems to work heaps better in the USA, than in New Zealand. Anyway, much like New Zealand Idol, NZ's Next Top Model and heaps of game shows, I have come to the conclusion that we are too similarly conservative in general for these shows and this means there is a lack of difference in contestants to make them really good. It is great though that some people who otherwise wouldn't get an opportunity to be in the limelight actually get their chance, but I wonder how many of these shows will survive? The show I went on, Cash Battle was based on a Polish show and other shows like Sale of the Century, Wheel of Fortune, The Weakest Link have struggled to stand the test of time.

Which New Zealand version of an overseas show do you like? Which show will last the test of time?

NZSALE - View Product

NZSALE - View Product
Something to rival 1 Day! I wonder what range of shoe sizes they have? Probably the ends of the line, but pretty cheap. A little too cheap?

Papua New Guinea Plays Football?????

When I heard of PRK Hekari United qualifying for the football World Club Championships as the best club team in Oceania (O League) I was initially shocked, but then saw them play. This club team were mainly small guys with pace to burn, while their squad contains Papua New Guineans and other players from around the Pacific. They thumped our best (Waitakere United) in PNG and then put up a brave fight in just going down over here in the return leg. The crazy thing is that the Papua New Guinea's national team is ranked as one of six teams at the bottom of the world rankings, which is concerning, because they didn't enter the first stage of World Cup qualifying games. That puts them around 200th in the world. This is an amazing achievement for this country which has produced some great rugby league players, but achieved nothing much in football. It is great for the global game!

Below is a link to their Wikipedia page.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papua_New_Guinea_national_football_team