The Invercargill Mayoralty Debate

In case you missed the Invercargill Mayoralty Debate involving Tim Shadbolt and Suzanne Prentice on Radio New Zealand this morning here it is. It is a mayoralty race with plenty of interest given the New Zealand celebrity status of the people involved.

Now get out there and vote using the outdated snail mail form of voting. If only you could vote online.


http://static.radionz.net.nz/assets/audio_item/0018/2416014/mnr-20101001-0817-Invercargill_mayoral_race_down_to_two_big_names-m048.asx

Jack Bauer Finishes 23rd In World Cycling Championships Time Trial

Bauer winning a race this season.

New Zealand national road cycling champion Jack Bauer was called in at the last minute to race in the World Cycling Time Trial Race in Geelong where he finished 23rd which is a huge effort given the high calibre of the field. Well done Bauer. Bauer was one of my old flatmates so I am very proud of him and wish him well for the Mens Cycling Road Race in Delhi at the Commonwealth Games.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/30092010/2/cycling-world-championships-men-time-trial-result.html

Result of the men's time trial at the road world championships in Geelong, Australia on Thursday (Course length = 45.6 km) 1. Fabian Cancellara (Switzerland / Switzerland) 58:09.19" 2. David Millar (Britain / Great Britain) +1:02.75" 3. Tony Martin (Germany / Germany) +1:12.49" 4. Richie Porte (Australia / Australia) +1:19.00" 5. Michael Rogers (Australia / Australia) +2:24.94" 6. Koos Moerenhout (Netherlands / Netherlands) +2:40.69" 7. Luis Leon Sanchez (Spain / Spain) +2:44.23" 8. David Zabriskie (U.S. / U.S.) +2:51.41" 9. Maciej Bodnar (Poland / Poland) +3:00.70" 10. Gustav Larsson (Sweden / Sweden) +3:01.02" 11. Bert Grabsch (Germany / Germany) +3:06.14" 12. Ignatas Konovalovas (Lithuania / Lithuania) +3:07.46" 13. Vladimir Gusev (Russia / Russia) +3:27.28" 14. Carlos Oyarzun (Chile / Chile) +3:30.54" 15. Nicolas Vogondy (France / France) +3:38.85" 16. Andriy Grivko (Ukraine / Ukraine) +3:40.70" 17. Jose Ivan Gutierrez (Spain / Spain) +3:42.56" 18. Alex Rasmussen (Denmark / Denmark) +3:45.07" 19. Sylvain Chavanel (France / France) +3:59.84" 20. Janez Brajkovic (Slovenia / Slovenia) +4:03.97" 21. Artem Ovechkin (Russia / Russia) +4:06.89" 22. Dmitriy Fofonov (Kazakhstan / Kazakhstan) +4:11.23" 23. Jack Bauer (New Zealand / New Zealand) +4:17.78" 24. Tejay Van Garderen (U.S. / U.S.) +4:40.89" 25. David McCann (Britain / Ireland) +4:52.60" 26. Svein Tuft (Canada / Canada) +4:55.15" 27. Martin Velits (Slovakia / Slovakia) +5:00.00" 28. Raivis Belohvosciks (Latvia / Latvia) +5:15.15" 29. Matias Medici (Argentina / Argentina) +5:17.55" 30. Kanstantsin Siutsou (Belarus / Belarus) +5:23.48"

Contador Is A Drugs Cheat - But Who Isn't?

It appears that Alberto Contador used a banned substance to springboard his way to the Tour de France this year. Two times winner Contador continues to put cycling into a dim light. The traces of the drug clenbuterol are so low that this may not be performance enhancing, but it is hardly surprising given the large number of people in world sport especially cycling, who have dubious drug taking claims against them.

The triple Tour de France winner Alberto Contador has been provisionally suspended after traces of the bronchodilator clenbuterol were found in a urine sample given by the Spaniard on the second rest day of the Tour de France on 21 July. The sample was taken in Pau the day before the most important stage of the race through the Pyrenees. If the finding is confirmed, the Spaniard could lose his Tour title.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/sep/30/alberto-contador-positive-test

As New Zealanders, who are we to get up on our high horses? If drug tests were undertaken at club level of any sport, I believe there would be heaps of people taking what are banned substances in international sports. This would mainly be in the way of cold and flu remedies as well as some painkillers.

It will be interesting to see if there are any people at the Commonwealth Games caught taking drugs? New Zealand has had a great record in the past, but there have been a few exceptions.

Do you remember former Russian pole vaulter Denis Petushinskiy who was stripped of his silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in 1998 for failing a drugs test while representing New Zealand?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denis_Petushinskiy

Weightlifter Graham May made it into New Zealand folklore when we hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1974. He dropped the weights and collapsed on stage in his dark rimmed glasses. He then lifted the weights successfully and won. He later became a Christian and confessed to using steroids for three years. It is amazing how becoming a Christian can lead you to search for a clean break in life. He passed away in 2006 at age 55.
http://grg51.typepad.com/steroid_nation/2006/12/new_zealand_wei.html



Whilst Simon Poelman didn't get banned for taking drugs, he got jailed for dealing them towards the end of his career. He was in athletics at a time in the 1980s where drug use was widespread with the likes of Ben Johnson, Carl Lewis and Florence Griffith Joyner among the many of the users. Only some of them got caught at the time. You draw your own conclusions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Poelman



So, who will captivate a nation and then later on be discovered that they took banned drugs? It will be interesting. I am looking forward to the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

World Record Yo-Yo Attempt In Wellington

Tomorrow at lunchtime, Wellington will aim to make it into the Guiness Book of World Records for the most people to yo-yo simultaneously. It is for a great cause the Save The Children Fund. The current record is 662 in Birmingham, England. You can take your own yo-yo or buy one there for $5. This event will take place in the Renouf Foyer at the Michael Fowler Centre at 12pm on Friday 1st October. This is a great move given the mixed weather of late. Unfortunately I can't make it because I work too far away, but get amongst it and get your yo-yo into the record books.

http://www.do1thing.org.nz/play-your-part-help-save-lives/

http://events.yahooxtra.co.nz/2010/oct/wellington/guinness-world-yoyo-record-attempt

For the record, my best ever yo-yo was one that most people won doing the L and P, World Famous in New Zealand video in 1996. You got a t-shirt, yo-yo and certificate for entering. I love those competitions.

What yo-yo will you be taking? I wonder what they class and yo-yoing simulatenously? Have you got any great yo-yo tricks like "walking the dog"?

What Would You Do?

It is the motto of Lotto, but the latest massive win of $8.9 million in Lotto's Big Wednesday in the tiny town of Reefton means that someone must seriously be thinking this. Reefton has a population of 1,000 people and is situated on the West Coast of the South Island near Greymouth. The problem lies with how to blend into such a small mining town with this money. Would you come out and buy the town for the locals? Give it a spruce up and put the money into a community fund? Someone in Reefton now also owns the following

The prize pool included: $8,908,793.00 cash, an Audi R8, a Porsche Cayenne, a Visa Platinum Card worth $250,000, $250,000 worth of luxury travel, a Four Winns V258 boat, and $750,000 cash to put towards a bach

Would you leave your family and friends behind and go overseas and start a new life where people think you have always been rich? That is another option.

Or you could take them with you and start a new life somewhere else.

You could do nothing and continue trying to live your ordinary life but it would just be so difficult winning this much as people would be asking you for money all the time.

I would take my close friends and family on a holiday and then move somewhere nice and warm with them. But then we would get homesick or something, so it is a tough one.

You would have to give some of it away. I would purchase part of the Stags. But we all know (just ask Terry Serepisos just how difficult it is to not lose money from it).

You would also get really bored. I would probably work part time as a hobby just to keep my mind active.




http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4182323/Tiny-town-abuzz-over-8-9m-lotto-win

The All Blacks Are The Biggest Chokers In World Sport

The All Blacks have been named the biggest chokers in world sport by a journalist in Great Britain, but I would suggest they do deserve to be there. Their problem is that they are usually so good making them favourites for most Rugby World Cups. Mind you, they don't tend to choke in the Tri Nations so much in recent times. Most other countries have worse records in World Cups in their sports, but it is because of their between World Cup dominance that makes them ideal candidates for the tag. Look at the list below of the Top 40. We beat Greg Norman and the 1999 South African cricket team. We make it onto the list several times too.

The All Blacks have topped a list of the greatest chokers in sport, beating the likes of golfer Greg Norman and the South African cricket team.

The 1999 All Blacks, a team that were shocked by France in the Rugby World Cup semifinals, finished number one in the Times Online's 40 greatest chokers in sport.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=10676933

The 40 greatest chokers in sport
40: Andy Murray, 2010
39: Barcelona, 1986
38: Lewis Hamilton, 2007
37: England rugby union team, 1991
36: Bernhard Langer, 1991
35: Alex Bogdanovic, take your pick
34: Frank Bruno, 1996
33: England cricket team, 1987
32: David Bedford, 1971
31: Tony Romo, 2007
30: New York Yankees, 2004
29: Europe Ryder Cup team, 1999
28: Roberto Duran, 1980
27: England cricket team, 2006
26: Tim Henman, 2001
25: Paula Radcliffe, 2000
24: Gareth Southgate, 1996
23: Devon Loch, 1956
22: England football team, 1970
21: Jana Novotna, 1993
20: New Zealand rugby team, 2007
19: England football team, 2010
18: Gavin Hastings, 1991
17: Newcastle United, 1995-96
16: Scott Norwood, 1991
15: Colin Montgomerie, 2006
14: Jimmy White, 1992
13: Chris Waddle, 1990
12: Dustin Johnson, 2010
11: Don Fox, 1968
10: Houston Oilers, 1993
9: Doug Sanders, 1970
8: Guillermo Coria, 2004
7: Somerset cricket team, 2010
6: Jean van der Velde, 1999
5: Scott Hoch, 1989
4: Asafa Powell, 2007
3: Greg Norman, 1996
2: South Africa cricket team, 1999
1: New Zealand rugby team, 1999

What do you think about this list? Are the All Blacks the biggest chokers in world sport?

Which Commonwealth Games Sports Are You Looking Forward To?

How many people know the sports on offer at the Commonwealth Games in 2010? It is easy to get confused with which sports are and aren't in the Commonwealth Games and it is easy to get them confused with the Olympics. Some sports won't feature the big names since only Commonwealth nations participate and even then, some athletes like Usain Bolt and Caster Semenya won't participate for various reasons including the safety in Delhi, the conditions and having their eyes on other, bigger events than these games which are almost second rate in several sports.

I know a couple of competitors so I will pay particular attention to the Mens cycling road race and Jack Bauer and also Pala from The Street who will be weightlifting for Vanuatu.

Which sports are you looking forward to? I can't wait for the rugby sevens, swimming, netball, cycling and athletics. I consider the introduction of tennis to be a waste of time given the lack of top players in the Commonwealth and the way that the tennis world places a higher priority on the Grand Slam events.

The games last for about 12 days starting on October 3rd. It will be entertaining and if you have SKY there will be replays on all the time. Who wants to get together to watch Jack Bauer in the cycling road race?

AQUATICS
Venue: SPM Aquatics Complex

Swimming
Nineteen events for men and 19 events for women will be held from October 4-9 with 38 gold medals up for grabs.

Synchronised swimming
Synchronised Swimming is for women only and first featured in the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh. Delhi 2010 will feature two events - solo and duet on October 6-7 with two gold medals at stake.

Diving
Diving has featured on the Commonwealth Games programme in every Commonwealth Games. Ten diving events will be held over four days from October 10-13 for 10 gold medals.

ARCHERY
Venue: Yamuna Sports Complex

Archery will have its second appearance in the Delhi Commonwealth Games. The first appearance was in Brisbane Games in 1982. Delhi 2010 will feature eight events - four events each for men and women. The competition will be held at the Yamuna Sports Complex from October 4-10.

ATHLETICS
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium

Athletics has featured on the Commonwealth Games programme since the inaugural Games in 1930 in Canada. Out of 46 events for men and women, 44 events will be held over seven days from October 6-12 while Marathon will be held on October 14 and the Walk on October 9.

BADMINTON
Venue: Siri Fort Sports Complex

Badminton is a core sport for men and women that made its debut in Kingston 1966 as one of nine included on the Commonwealth Games this year. Delhi 2010 will feature six events in this discipline - singles and doubles matches for men and women, mixed doubles and team mixed.

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BOXING
Venue: Talkatora Indoor Stadium

Boxing is one of the few sports to have featured on every Commonwealth Games programme. Delhi 2010 will feature events in 11 weight categories over October 5-12 at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium.

CYCLING
Venue: Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium

Cycling was first included in the Commonwealth Games in 1934 at the London Games. Delhi 2010 will feature 14 track events (eight for men and six for women) and two road events (mass start and time trial events) for men and women.

GYMNASTICS
Venue: Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium

Gymnastics was first included on the Commonwealth Games programme at the 1978 Edmonton Games. Delhi 2010 will feature 14 events (eight men and six women) at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.

HOCKEY
Venue: Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium

Hockey was one of three team sports introduced to the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur 1998. The schedule is simple with men's and women's team events to be held from October 4-14.

LAWN BOWLS
Venue: JN Sports Complex

Lawn Bowls has been in all Commonwealth Games Sports programmes with the exception of Kingston 1966. Delhi 2010 will feature six events at the JN Sports complex from October 4-13.

NETBALL
Venue: Thyagaraj Sports Complex

Netball is only for women and is one of three team sports introduced in 1998 at the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games. In Delhi, the netball competition will be held from October 4-14.

RUGBY SEVENS
Venue: Delhi University

Rugby Sevens is only for men and was first introduced in Kuala Lumpur 1998. The competition venue and seven training venues are all based at Delhi University. The competition runs over two days on October 11 and 12.

SHOOTING
Venue: Dr. KS Shooting Range

Shooting made its first appearance in the Commonwealth Games programme in Kingston 1966. Since then the sport has been at every Commonwealth Games except the 1979 Games.

SQUASH
Venue: Siri Fort Sports Complex

Squash (singles) made its debut in Kuala Lumpur 1998. Delhi 2010 will feature five events - singles (men and women), doubles (men and women) and mixed doubles at the Siri Fort Sports Complex.

TABLE TENNIS
Venue: Yamuna Sports Complex

Table Tennis first appeared in Manchester 2002. Delhi 2010 will feature seven events - singles, doubles and team (men and women) and mixed doubles at the Yamuna Sports Complex.

TENNIS
Venue: R.K. Khanna Tennis Complex

Tennis makes its debut Commonwealth Games appearance in Delhi 2010. Five events - singles (men and women), doubles (men and women) and mixed doubles - will be held from October 4-10.

WEIGHTLIFTING
Venue: J.N. Sports Complex

Weightlifting was included in the Commonwealth Games programme in 1990 at the Auckland Games. Delhi 2010 will have eight weight categories for men and seven weight categories for women and runs from October 4-12.

WRESTLING
Venue: IG Sports Complex

Delhi 2010 will feature 14 (seven freestyle and seven Greco-Roman) weight categories for men and seven freestyle weight categories for women.

http://tvnz.co.nz/commonwealth-games/s-offer-in-delhi-3752671

Check Out The Huge Mistake On Australia's Next Top Model

This video is brilliant entertainment. That moment when the Australia's Next Top Model finalists' worlds got turned upside down and the results were reversed. Do you think it is a stitch up and it is actually staged? How could they have made such a huge mistake? It is funny watching the host Sarah Murdoch trying to weasle her way out of it. Maybe she got the order correct but she may have been supposed to name the runner up first instead of the winner. Hopefully the decision works out well for both of them and both girls end up getting some sympathetic deals out of it. It was at the 1:36 stage where she obviously got the word that a mistake had been made.

What do you think? Funny? Unfortunate?

Poor Sarah Murdoch is fed the wrong name and announces Kelsey as the winner, after Kelsey accepts Sarah gets an update that she has announced the wrong girl

Earthquake In North Island This Time

http://geonet.org.nz/earthquake/quakes/latest.html
I guess a majority of New Zealanders live near fault lines and so a 6.4 magnitude quake hitting 90km north of White Island should hardly be surprising. We felt it in Wellington around 5:15pm today. After the Christchurch disaster and the snow in Invers I decided to get Contents insurance again in case I go home and find my television on the floor in pieces. It wasn't really strong here in Wellington, but heck, we don't want a repeat of Christchurch and because of the publicity it got, it has put the nation on high alert.

Scalpers Already Selling Sevens Tickets- Is It Wrong?

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/news/article/-/8034715/sevens-sellers-ignoring-warnings
Onselling of tickets for profit is often frowned upon, but like counting cards at a casino, it isn't illegal. While some people have genuine reasons to sell tickets, I think there will always be scalping. It is based on the economics theory of "supply and demand". As supply disappears in the space of four minutes two days ago, therefore demand is high for Sevens tickets, meaning people will pay top dollar for tickets.

The other problem with Sevens rugby is that it takes place over two days and people from out of town or who work here don't want to attend both days. All the action happens on day two and if you watched every match at the Sevens you would go bonkers. Therefore many people sell their Friday tickets, and if people want to pay top dollar then so be it.

It will be interesting to see what happens with people scalping Rugby World Cup tickets. With such high demand for play off games, then surely it is impossible to stop the onselling or scalping of tickets on a resource as vast as the Internet. People can often scalp or sell tickets around the stadium on game day if they are desperate. There is always someone purchasing a ticket off someone else at the gate. Sometimes this is how to get cheap tickets, but it is also frowned upon and you may or may not lose your tickets if discovered.

It is great to see a sporting event actually sold out in this country, in a day and age when sporting patronage is dwindling for rugby, at least the Sevens still pulls a crowd. Who cares if people make a quick buck? I am smart enough to just watch on television if I don't get a ticket rather than paying an astonomical price. I am just glad sporting events are being attended!

Touch Players Wanted - I Have A Dream!

This season I have decided to go hard out organising The Street touch teams. I was inspired when I went to Great Britain in 2006 and the Sports Ministry they had at the All Souls Church. We used to play casual touch a couple of times a week and the people there organised a tournament. They had about 8 to 10 teams and our side made the final where we lost to a side made up of Great Britain representatives 6-2 using it as a warmup for the World Championships. They had a speaker who gave his testimony and it was basically a one sport version of sports camp.

I think this is a great opportunity to meet more people and keep fit at the same time and maybe share some of the gospel if we get a tournament going or something. I have this vision of having lots of teams in the MacAlister Park league so that there is a team for a range of people from newbies to those like myself who thrive on competition and have played for over a decade. The competition starts in about four weeks at MacAlister Park in Berhampore. Games go for about 30 to 40 minutes and we play 14 games. Subs cost about $60 each with another $35 for tops. There will be one mixed team on a Thursday night and several on a Wednesday night. I have registered one Thursday and two Wednesday night teams at different levels so far.

This way we can help people play at the level they want to and we will have enough people for a weekend run around. There are about six grading games to start the season off anyway and then six more league games, followed by semis and finals for everyone. They have great prizes at Total Touch.

If you are keen then let me know. I have played touch for over 10 years and love the game. I rely on putting younger and faster people into gaps through reading the game. When you get older you have to get smarter. There is also an Over 30 grade, but I don't know if I have enough older mates. It is a chance to pull some moves like you see in the NRL without the same fear of violent injury, although I once broke my nose on the forehead of an opposition female.

Details can be found at www.totaltouch.org.nz


My favourite touch shoes, Asics Tigers. Available for $85 at Rebel Sport or on special for as little as $40.

Man Finds Mouse In Loaf Of Bread

http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-nz&brand=msnnz&tab=m1225936505275&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:ebb1e3c5-e8f8-40b2-bbcd-880b400b513b&showPlaylist=true&from=inline

A man in England got more than he bargained on when making sandwiches for his children.

Stephen Forse was making sandwiches for his children and their friends at home in Oxfordshire when he noticed a dark shape in the corner of the loaf.

"Initially I thought it was where the dough had not mixed properly prior to baking. As I looked closer I saw that the object had fur on it", he told the BBC.

Mr Forse said he carried on preparing the sandwiches with another loaf, but couldn't eat because he was feeling so ill.

He then called his local council who sent their environmental health officers to inspect the loaf.

They confirmed it was a mouse, but it was missing its tail.

"Their comments made me feel ill once again as there was no indication as to where the tail was," Mr Forse said.

"Had it fallen off prior to the bread being wrapped or had any of my family eaten it with another slice of bread on a previous day?"

http://news.msn.co.nz/article/8077165/uk-father-finds-dead-mouse-in-bread-loaf

In my opinion this is disgusting. I wonder if this guy still enjoys sandwiches and where did that tail go?

Wellington Phoenix Hold Press Conference But Have Confirmed Payment

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/4174252/Phoenix-ACC-debt-paid
The Wellington Phoenix held a Press Conference at 2pm over the $260,000 they reportedly owed ACC for player levies. Has Terry Serepisos finally been caught out? No, he has weasled his way out of another tricking situation. The money has been paid! The Wellington Phoenix live to fight another day and another slow news days story is over. Surely Terry Serepisos deals with large transactions like this all the time

Manscaping

According to Urban Dictionary http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Manscaping

Manscaping is to groom a man. Shaving, waxing, cleaning up the superfluous fur.

With the rise of so many metrosexual men, there seems to be an increase of the hairless beast. Check out Southland's own personality Gerry Forde above with his shirt off. I was watching a rugby documentary and they went into the changing sheds to find guys with hairless torsos. These were players in their 20s and 30s and then the host of the show former England winger Austin Healey with his shirt off too and it left me wondering how many guys wax or shave their chests and stomachs? You can understand the movement towards shaving the back and shoulders, because that is just yucky, but surely all guys have some kind of hairy torso? My rationale is that God created body hair to develop into your mid 20s so that when most guys start getting out of shape the hair covers their bulges.

Some nationalities are naturally more hairy than others. Some of my Asian friends barely shave, while some Middle Eastern dudes always have five o'clock shadow.

Guys expect women to maintain themselves, but is the day of the hairy beast outdated? Do women prefer guys who have indulged in "manscaping" or do hairy chests like James Bond and Magnum PI still work? Some guys take it a step further with the infamous "back,sack and crack" but I am surely hoping that is only used by a minority. Most guys do a little "manscaping" anyway making sure parts that shouldn't sprout visible hair like nostrils, eye brows, ears and armpits don't.

With many summer swims with the glamourous types at Oriental Bay on the cards this summer, I want to fit in with my Waboba ball.

Guys, here are some tips. It could be a case of if you are ripped you "manscape", if you aren't don't.

http://au.askmen.com/grooming/appearance/3_body-hair-dos-donts.html

I would love to hear your thoughts manscaping. How far should guys take their grooming?

Apple iPhone Glitch Causes Sleepless Night

Sorry all you techno geeks, you may have struggled to cope with day light savings thanks to a glitch with the alarm clock.

A suspected glitch in the Apple iPhones made re-adjusting to daylight savings twice as difficult for the gadget's owners this morning.

Hundreds of iPhone users were woken up an extra hour early this morning after a glitch with the device’s alarm clock – despite the clock adjusting itself automatically.

To make matters worse, some users reported they then tried to outsmart the device by setting the alarm an hour later, only to have it go off at the correct time, causing mass confusion.

"I am tired and I am grumpy. And it’s my iPhone’s fault," a blogger on iphonewzealand wrote.

"As if losing an hour’s sleep due to daylight savings isn’t bad enough, how about losing another hour just for good measure?"

The writer said he'd tried a number of things to fix the alarm, but none made particular sense.

"I don’t know if my alarm will go off at the right time tomorrow and I don’t know if I will, in my sleep-induced haze, forget to double-check the time when it goes off tomorrow morning and wake up an hour early yet again."

And that writer wasn’t alone, as dozens of other iPhone users flooded Twitter, complaining they were late, tired and grumpy.

"I hope Apple fixes this in the next release," one tweeted.

Apple is yet to comment on the problem.

Have you been affected by this glitch? Tell me your story!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/gadgets/4170853/iPhone-alarms-ring-early-in-daylight-savings-glitch

Wellington Botanic Gardens Gets Mentioned On The Simpsons!

You know you have made it when you are mentioned on an episode of the Simpsons. Check out this preview with The Flight of the Conchords stars on The Simpsons. They need Rhys Darby on there to spice it up! Wellington represent!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/4172118/Wellington-on-The-Simpsons

Footy vs Faith - Why Is It So Much Easier To Celebrate Our Passions Than Celebrate Our Faith?

Bill Shankly


Why is it so much easier to shout, jump, cheer, promote and be passionate about that sports team than about God? It is easier to go about telling the world about the exploits of the mighty Stags, All Blacks, Wellington Phoenix or whatever team you support than to go around spreading the "Good News" about Jesus Christ.

As a boy I was brought up in the church, yet I was also brought up following the All Blacks and Southland. Both of these things have been in my life for a very long time, but it seems easier to talk with non believers about the exploits of the maroon and golds than Proverbs I have been studying. It seems easier wearing a Southland rugby top than holding a Bible.

Former Liverpool manager and Scottish football international Bill Shankly is famous for his often misquoted quote which suggests football is more important than life or death.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Shankly

An interview on a Granada Television chat-show hosted by Shelley Rohde in 1981 produced arguably Shankly's most famous (and most often misquoted) quote - "Someone said to me 'To you football is a matter of life or death!' and I said 'Listen, it's more important than that'." But on the official Liverpoolfc.tv website, it states that the official quote is "Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that."

But surely faith is more important than football? When we arrive at those pearly gates surely the fact that we have supported the Stags through thick and thin is hardly as important as our faith and how we have lived our lives in a way pleasing to God?

This is the challenge for everyone. It may not be footy for everyone, but surely it is important to have passions in life other than Jesus Christ, but maybe it is time for us to be more on fire for God. You always win with the Lord!

I must admit that I never jump up and down screaming and yelling at church like I do at the big match. Or I don't shed any tears at church like I did when the Stags won the Ranfurly Shield. Am I a bad Christian? Am I alone in this?

Sure, God created football and that is why we should be even more passionate about him than about the actual game itself, but because we don't necessarily see as much physical evidence of his existence than we do of sports (replace with art, music, video games, whatever) then we usually aren't.

Are people more open to hearing about faith than they are about football? I assume not, but this could just be a misconception. In this country would you be locked up for chanting Jesus! instead of Phoenix? I also know more incase of getting into a heated debate about sport than I do about the Scriptures. Is this just me? Why is this?

This is a challenge for me and hopefully I am not alone with this.

Is This The Unluckiest Own Goal Ever?

I have seen some interesting own goals in recent times involving charge down clearances and botched back passes, but this is completely different. Not only did this guy score and own goal using his butt, but his team lost 3-2. I guess the old adage of "always staying on your feet in the box" takes on new meaning here.

I have scored a few, mainly on windy days, but I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

Check Out These Pole Dancers - It Is All in the Tighties!

Check out these Asian Pole Dancers with their skills. I have to admit that the key to it is having a strong pair of orange underpants. If you skimp and save of quality of budgie smugglers then you won't have the confidence to pull off these moves. You don't want pole chaffage or elastic snapping on you in the middle of your routine. Maybe they wear two pairs just in case? Months of practice no doubt went into performing these routines so you don't want a Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction to ruin it. Thanks to Ali Simpson for lending these guys his vast collection of orange tighties and the inspiration for this post.
Seriously though, these guys are pretty amazing. I have a few "friends" who have done pole dancing and claim that it is tiring and a real workout.

Should New Zealand Athletes Attend The 2010 Commonwealth Games?

The latest revelations of substandard accommodation, security and other facilities in New Delhi has left people wondering if the 2010 Commonwealth Games should go ahead and if New Zealand athletes should attend?

What do you think?

There have been a few withdrawals so far, but plenty of threats to withdrawal if facilities and security don't step up. I am hoping this is the kick in the pants that organisers need and that even though there is under two weeks until the games start, I am hoping organisers can pull a rabbit out of a hat.

Pros for Commonwealth Games in India

Sure, India has plenty of poor people by world standards, but surely they deserve the opportunity to host the Commonwealth Games. New Zealand has hosted twice in 1974 and 1990 along with the Empire Games in 1950. Their athletes deserve the right to participate at home, as they are the most populous country in the Commonwealth. When we hosted the games in the past, names like Dick Tayler and Nikki Jenkins became household names. It would also give them an opportunity to win more medals than usual with the home advantage.

It would do overseas athletes the world of good to experience Indian culture and the experience of being part of a national team with heaps of athletes. This could launch careers for the future and provide top level experience as a launching pad to London 2012 Olympics.

It is a chance to see how lucky athletes are in the Western World. Most teams will probably take plenty of food and supplies with them and stay in lavish accommodation so they hopefully won't get as badly affected by disease and other things as they would have in the past. It would also bring heaps of money into India through tourism. It only lasts for about two weeks, so people won't be there very long, surely the facilities can survive for two weeks.

It would be a waste of local resources, spending money on facilities and accommodation which will not get any financial returns if the Games don't go ahead.

Lets stop being so precious, harden up and go to India!

Cons

Security is famous for being inadquate. This could compromise the safety of athletes, administrators, coaches and fans. If the facilities aren't up to scratch buildings could collapse causing injury or worse, death. These athletes need to have adequate training facilities and healthy living quarters so they can train and perform at the best of their ability. This could be the pinnacle of some peoples careers and we want them to be able to be the best that they can be.

I am hoping the Games are on because I am a sports lover.

Sport isn't a matter of life or death or do you think Bill Shankly the great football manager was right with his analogy?

"Football isn't a matter of life or death, it's much more important than that." — Bill Shankly

Although it is difficult for me to judge anyone who won't attend, I think the athletes will be left wondering how they would've gone if they don't attend. I say go there and do the best for your country, but I am not the one going over there! Sure, it is different to conditions here, but the same thing happened with Indian athletes attending Commonwealth Games here. As humans we have to adjust!

The Hoff Gets Voted Off!

The Hoff (David Hasslehoff) was the first celebrity voted off the American version of Dancing with the Stars. I must admit that it is more difficult for the older people as The Hoff is 58 years old and still in quite good nick for his age, but when the body is older than the opposition it is a bit unfair. It comes down to popularity in that case. Remember when Tim Shadbolt kept winning because the people of Invercargill voted for him? The problem is that David Hasslehoff doesn't seem as popular! No one could handle the Hoff.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv/4156030/David-Hasselhoff-gets-the-boot

Matthew Landreth From Owaka to New Zealand Opera Star

Check out Matt Landreth in this video, so true about claiming Southland. I haven't seen or heard from Mandreth, Matty, Landreth or The Landreth in ages. Listen to and watch the video Matty Landreth on Radio Ponsonby.

Matthew Landreth is part of the NZopera season of MacBeth - find out how a young man gets from the Catlins to the Opera stage, via the Rugby Field. more info at www.nzopera.com

Who is keen on going to see Matt Landreth in MacBeth? He plays the part of the Doctor and in the chorus in it. This video is from a few weeks ago. It is on in Wellington October 9th - 16th at the St James. This means that Mandreth will be back in town, hip hip hoorah!

In the back-stage world of theatre, some believe that the play is cursed, and will not mention its title aloud, referring to it instead by such names as "the Scottish play". I remember that episode of Blackadder Three.

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/9437878

Anyway, going to opera is a great social time as there are heaps of high brow types and it is fun to dress up.

So who is keen to see "the Scottish play"?

Paul Henry's Acceptance Speech

This is Paul Henry's acceptance speech from the Qantas Film and Television Awards. While I do realise that by publishing this is playing into his hands as controversy increases ratings, but I still don't rate the guy. I haven't met him, but don't want to. Anyone who gives such a speech full of bad language to get laughs doesn't get my respect. I prefer more civilised and sophisticated humour. He was supposedly reading a letter from a fan, but can't help but think that it could just be made up and an actual attempt to get attention. Who look at me, I am so funny, I can say naughty words and make hundreds of drunk people laugh. Wow! It takes a bigger person to make people laugh without bad language. Look at comedians. I would much rather go to a mime artist than listen to potty mouthed peeps. Call it taking the moral high ground, but when I want humour I want clever and more what is insinuated rather than removing all forms of doubt by just saying the bad stuff. The actors from Boy were there remember, yet on television this speech made it an AO. How does that work? What happens if a child is in an R16 movie, can he not watch it? These kids need role models, not potty mouthed swines.

What did you think of it and of Paul Henry in general? He gets media attention he doesn't deserve in my opinion. Rhys Darby made for an interesting host.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv/4145576/Paul-Henrys-outrageous-awards-speech

Aerial Footage of Snow In Invercargill

While the wind is causing havoc up north, the snow has created problems for Southland. Invercargill seems to be the worst off with significant landmarks like Stadium Southland and Windsor New World (near my house) having to shut as the weight of the snow was too heavy for the roof to sustain the weight. My mum bought supplies just before hand at the local Windsor New World (there will be food on the table tonight) and the flat Invers roads are hard to drive on. Apparently the snow has a higher concentration of water (wet snow) so it is heavier than the usual slow falling snowflakes. I thought it was spring? The snow in Invrs is worse than in Queenstown at the moment. It isn't good for the little newborn lambs. I don't think there have been power cuts yet, but it is still crazy. Invercargill reached a high of 4 degrees today. After the earthquake hit Christchurch a few weeks back, nature is starting to cause some damage.

Where Should The Wellington Phoenix Play Home Games Next Season?

The Rugby World Cup will be in full swing during September and October, leaving the Wellington Phoenix without a home at Westpac Trust stadium. It also means that most other large sports grounds will be used too. Where do you think they should play? Somewhere random like Mount Maunganui which is one of the biggest grounds not being used for the Rugby World Cup? or shift games to the Basin Reserve or Newtown Park? I think the Basin Reserve is the best option. It can hold about 10,000 people, but it may affect preparation for the cricket season.

The other options are adopt a ground in Australia or just play away matches for about two or three months.

My pick is the Basin Reserve. What do you think? They could use Carisbrook if it isn't being used for the rugby, but surely a Wellington ground is beneficial.

Bluebird Chip Competition Finalists Announced - Pick A Winner!

The finalists in the competition to create a chip flavour for Bluebird have been found. I would probably go for the Cheesy Garlic Bread, so breathmints should be kept handy when going for this flavour. The winner is determined by votes and sales. Chips go on sale on Monday. Which flavour will you be trying?

New Plymouth's David Martin has done chip lovers around the country a major flavour with his creation, Sunday Roast (The Crispy Bits Left In The Pan) flavoured chips.

Mr Martin is one of four finalists in Bluebird's Do Us a Flavour competition and is now in a snack-food showdown with the creators of Cheesy Garlic Bread, Paua Fritter With Lemon Wedges and Butter Chippin' flavours.

Whichever flavour comes out on top will be made and marketed by Bluebird, with their inventor also making a packet of cash.

A one-off prize of $20,000 is up for grabs, along with 2 per cent of sales for as long as their chips are sold.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/4133398/Crunch-time-for-our-designer-chip

You can vote at www.bluebird.co.nz/dousaflavour/

My idea of ham and cheese toasties never got entered because I wasn't creative enough and couldn't find an image to describe it. I was going for the ham, cheese and tomato being the classic toasted sandwich that I used to make for "women of the night" at the hotel I used to work at.

Television To Switch Off Analogue in Two Years

You will have to get some form of digital television or FreeView if you are to continue watching television in this country as the country will switch off analogue in two years. Your television just won't get reception after the transition period. This was done in Europe a while back and it will be interesting to see if your average punter will give in and get FreeView. I figure if you are getting FreeView you may as well get Sky Television of some version of it. It is a great way of justifying Sky to the Mrs. It is apparently because they need the frequency to introduce 4G technology to cell phones in this country.





http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/4135477/Two-years-to-analogue-switch-off

Jack Bauer Ripping It Up In Tour of Britain 2010

Here is an photo of Bauer doing what he does best!

My old flatmate Jack Bauer is doing well in the Tour of Britain 2010. He has been involved in several breaks and with fellow kiwi Greg Henderson seems to be standing up well in preparation for the Commonwealth Games in India. Henderson did have the yellow jersey, but is back to fourth overall. Bauer finished fourth in the latest stage. This race is a step up from riding as a cycle courier in Wellington and a lift in pace from the slow alternative lifestyle that Bauer was brought up with in Golden Bay.

http://www.tourofbritain.co.uk

Togo Team of Complete Fakes

This could be only shot at playing international sport. Check out this article below about completely fake Togo football team who played Bahrain and lost 3-0. The Togo federation never knew the game was on or anything. I wonder if the players in the team were actually from Togo? They could be from somewhere else. It is a bit like the social netball team from Queenstown who played a Jamacian selection one time because they thought they were a New Zealand representative side. I am also sure British pub teams on a social tour have been mistaken for actual national or representative sides while they were away. Maybe a group from a Togo club were in Bahrain and the locals assumed they were the actual national team?

Maybe my touch team should go to Singapore and pretend to be the New Zealand side? It would be brilliant. Singapore by the way are one of the worst teams around for touch, so we might have a chance of victory!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/4130024/Fake-Togo-team-plays-friendly-against-Bahrain

Which Lycra Suit Looks Best?

I stumbled upon these suits on E Bay, while I was looking for uniforms for Sports Camp and sports teams. How cool would it be to have some people in these awesome lycra outfits at Sports Camp? These suits are cheaper if you buy them overseas like around $20 US, although it depends on how many you buy as to if you can spread the cost of packaging around?

Do we as the only Wellington team at Sports Camp sport the yellow and black as above? What about the Cool Runnings Bob Sled suits? The Power Ranger? or just the plain black suit?

Which do you think is the best option?

Look For A Familiar Face In This Air New Zealand Video

Check out this video which Siale slipped into as Sonny in his classy lava lava and shirt on with his new wife. He sometimes pops up on random New Zealand shows as an extra and I remember him and Boss on the Heineken rugby world coming together advertisement. Boss was wearing a swandri. He is part of the old dunners club where most people went to study and have since left. Some did more study than others.

Roses Are Red... But What Do The Colours Represent?

On Valentine's Day this year a certain flatmate of mine handed out white roses to the single women at The Street. The thing was we were unsure what they mean? Red roses are the most common, but these sold out quickly at most places, leaving white roses at the next best thing. So what do white roses represent? Some people suggested it was friendship and how it was an ironic twist to the situation, some even suggested "death", but I discovered the meanings of roses and numbers of roses through various websites. I never knew there was such a tradition of meanings behind roses. Maybe I should get some orange roses!

Here is a quick summary of the meaning of roses:

1. Red Roses
Red roses convey a simple message: "I love you". This makes them the ultimate symbol of romantic love and the most popular choice on Valentine’s Day. Other meanings for red roses include desire, passion, courage, respect, beauty and sincerity. A red rosebud symbolizes purity and loveliness.

2. Coral Roses
Coral roses speak of desire and passion.

3. Lilac or Lavender Roses
Lilac roses reveal love at first sight or enchantment.

4. Orange Roses
Orange roses communicate desire, enthusiasm and fascination. They make an excellent choice for a new relationship that you wish to pursue further.

5. Peach Roses
Peach roses express gratitude, appreciation, admiration or sympathy. They can also convey sociability and friendship and send the message "Let's get together". A pale peach rose symbolizes modesty.

6. Pink Roses
In general, pink roses symbolize grace, gentility and happiness and express appreciation and gratitude.

7. Pale Pink Roses
Pale pink roses connote grace, joy, gentility and gratitude.

8. Light Pink Roses
Light pink roses suggest happiness and fun. Like all pink roses, they also convey admiration and appreciation.

9. Deep Pink Roses
Deep pink roses say "Thank you". They also express appreciation, admiration, sincerity and sympathy.

10. White Roses
Second only to red roses in popularity, white roses symbolize truth and innocence. They also represent silence, secrecy, reverence, humility, youthfulness and charm. You can use them to say, "You're heavenly", "I miss you" and "I’m worthy of you". A white rosebud symbolizes girlhood.

11. Yellow Roses
Yellow roses symbolize friendship and freedom, so are not specifically romantic roses. They convey congratulations, joy, gladness and delight. But they also promise a new beginning, say "Welcome back" and "Remember me", and can convey jealousy and caring. Yellow roses with red tips convey friendship and falling in love.

12. Dead Roses
Dead roses in any color convey "It's over!"

http://www.rosaflora-flowers.com/meaning-of-roses.html

There is also meaning behind the number of roses. It is difficult to know whether this is a marketing ploy to get people to buy 108 roses when they propose.

Meaning of Number of Roses:
- 1 Rose

Love at the first sight; you are the one
- 2 Roses

Mutual love between both, deeply in love with one another
- 3 Roses

I love you
- 6 Roses

I wanna be yours
- 7 Roses

I'm infatuated with you
- 9 Roses

An Eternal love, together as long as we live
- 10 Roses You are perfect
- 11 Roses You are my treasured one; the one I love most in my life
- 12 Roses Be my steady
- 13 Roses Secret Admirer
- 15 Roses I am truly sorry, please forgive me
- 20 Roses Believe me, I am sincere towards you
- 21 Roses I am devoted to you
- 24 Roses Can't stop thinking about you, 24 hours everyday
- 33 Roses Saying "I love you" with great affection
- 36 Roses I will remember our romantic moments
- 40 Roses My love for you is genuine
- 50 Roses Regretless love, this is
- 99 Roses I will love you for as long as I live
- 100 Roses Harmoniously together in a century; remaining devoted as couple till ripe-old age
- 101 Roses You are my one and only love
- 108 Roses Please marry me!
- 365 Roses Can't stop thinking about you, each and everyday
- 999 Roses Everlasting and Eternal love

http://www.loveletterbox.com/meaning_of_roses.htm

For those curious what colour rose suggests death. It is the black rose, although these are only in fiction.

Black roses (roses of black color) do not exist in nature as such, but nevertheless they are often featured in fiction with many different meanings such as the "black magic", "barkarole", "black beauty" and "baccara" and death varieties of roses. The flowers commonly called black roses are actually a very dark red color.

In the 18th century, the language of flowers became popular. In this code, the black rose is a symbol of death, hatred, revenge, sorrow or mourning. It can also be used when conveying a farewell. The black rose's quality of being a rare flower renders it an apt symbol of profound love, or other such things of a rare nature.

It also is the symbol of rebirth especially a rebirth of a beauty. A rebirth of the mind.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_rose_%28symbolism%29

So, my flatmate by giving one rose was saying that you are the one (except he gave out heaps of them), but in a pure humility type way, "um um um You're heavenly!".

Why Are Doctors Called Quacks?

I have wondered this for some time. There doesn't seem to be a definite answer to this question, but some theories floating around include.

I like the first theory best with the ugly duck type mask, although since there is more evidence out there for the "quacksalver" selling their wares on the streets, then it is more likely to be true.

1st theory - There was a time when people that practiced medicine, when dealing with contagious diseases, would wear on their face a cone/pointed shaped face mask, in an attempt to prevent their own infection.. They commonly came to be called "quacks" because of it's resemblance to a ducks bill.

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070330122302AA1Bz2h

2nd theory - It might originate from the word "quacksalver." A quackslaver was a sixteenth century word meaning a peddler who sold questionable medicine in the streets, often going from town to town. They often said their ointment, cream, vitman, or whatever they were selling could cure anything. These people pretending to have a cure came to represent a modern-day doctor who sold a treatment that wasn't proven to work. In searching medical treatment, it would be best to avoid this kind of doctor.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_did_the_word_%27quack%27_get_chosen_to_represent_a_dishonest_doctor

If neither of these definitions appeal to you, then you can always hit up Wikipedia, only to find the reference to "quacksalver".

Quackery is a derogatory term used to describe the promotion[1] of unproven or fraudulent medical practices. Random House Dictionary describes a "quack" as a "fraudulent or ignorant pretender to medical skill" or "a person who pretends, professionally or publicly, to have skill, knowledge, or qualifications he or she does not possess; a charlatan."[2]

The word "quack" derives from the archaic word "quacksalver," of Dutch origin (spelled kwakzalver in contemporary Dutch), meaning "boaster who applies a salve."[3] In the Middle Ages the word quack meant "shouting". The quacksalvers sold their wares on the market shouting in a loud voice.[4]

"Health fraud" is often used as a synonym for quackery, but quackery can exist without fraud (deliberate deception) and fraud can exist without quackery—for example, in the case of deliberate over-billing for otherwise legitimate medical treatment.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quackery

Sports Camp Injury Watch

I am now into my thirties and am noticing that sports injuries take more time to heal and it is easy to injure myself and flare up an old injury and then stretching and favouring the way I move and aggravating another old injury. I have been playing sports for about 25 years and it is taking its toll. But with the help of modern medicine and stretching routines I plan to get through a summer of touch and tennis and most importantly Riverbend Sports Camp. The main problem is that it is too easy to become a "weekend warrior" especially in winter when I only play outdoor football and then keep injurying myself. So, here are some tips and pointers before heading to Sports Camp. Exercising several times a week including some light exercise to blow out the cobwebs is the way to go, rather than just playing sports. It is funny how I never really struggled with injuries until late 20s. I wonder how long I have left at the top level, but hopefully the advice below will be helpful.

http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Sports_Injuries/sports_injuries_ff.asp

What Are Sports Injuries?
Fast Facts: An Easy-to-Read Series of Publications for the Public
"Sports injuries" are injuries that happen when playing sports or exercising. Some are from accidents. Others can result from poor training practices or improper gear. Some people get injured when they are not in proper condition. Not warming up or stretching enough before you play or exercise can also lead to injuries. The most common sports injuries are:

•Sprains and strains
•Knee injuries
•Swollen muscles
•Achilles tendon injuries
•Pain along the shin bone
•Fractures
•Dislocations.

What's the Difference Between an Acute and a Chronic Injury?
There are two kinds of sports injuries: acute and chronic. Acute injuries occur suddenly when playing or exercising. Sprained ankles, strained backs, and fractured hands are acute injuries. Signs of an acute injury include:

•Sudden, severe pain
•Swelling
•Not being able to place weight on a leg, knee, ankle, or foot
•An arm, elbow, wrist, hand, or finger that is very tender
•Not being able to move a joint as normal
•Extreme leg or arm weakness
•A bone or joint that is visibly out of place.
Chronic injuries happen after you play a sport or exercise for a long time. Signs of a chronic injury include:

•Pain when you play
•Pain when you exercise
•A dull ache when you rest
•Swelling.
What Should I Do if I Get Injured?
Never try to "work through" the pain of a sports injury. Stop playing or exercising when you feel pain. Playing or exercising more only causes more harm. Some injuries should be seen by a doctor right away. Others you can treat yourself.

Use the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) method to relieve pain, reduce swelling, and speed healing. Follow these four steps right after the injury occurs and do so for at least 48 hours:

•Rest. Reduce your regular activities. If you've injured your foot, ankle, or knee, take weight off of it. A crutch can help. If your right foot or ankle is injured, use the crutch on the left side. If your left foot or ankle is injured, use the crutch on the right side.
•Ice. Put an ice pack to the injured area for 20 minutes, four to eight times a day. You can use a cold pack or ice bag. You can also use a plastic bag filled with crushed ice and wrapped in a towel. Take the ice off after 20 minutes to avoid cold injury.
•Compression. Put even pressure (compression) on the injured area to help reduce swelling. You can use an elastic wrap, special boot, air cast, or splint. Ask your doctor which one is best for your injury.
•Elevation. Put the injured area on a pillow, at a level above your heart, to help reduce swelling.
How Are Sports Injuries Treated?
Treatment often begins with the RICE method. Here are some other things your doctor may do to treat your sports injury.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Your doctor will suggest that you take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen sodium. These drugs reduce swelling and pain. You can buy them at a drug store. Another common drug is acetaminophen. It may relieve pain, but it will not reduce swelling.

Immobilization
Immobilization is a common treatment for sports injuries. It keeps the injured area from moving and prevents more damage. Slings, splints, casts, and leg immobilizers are used to immobilize sports injuries.

Surgery
In some cases, surgery is needed to fix sports injuries. Surgery can fix torn tendons and ligaments or put broken bones back in place. Most sports injuries don't need surgery.


Rehabilitation (Exercise)
Rehabilitation is a key part of treatment. It involves exercises that step by step get the injured area back to normal. Moving the injured area helps it to heal. The sooner this is done, the better. Exercises start by gently moving the injured body part through a range of motions. The next step is to stretch. After a while, weights may be used to strengthen the injured area.

As injury heals, scar tissue forms. After a while, the scar tissue shrinks. This shrinking brings the injured tissues back together. When this happens, the injured area becomes tight or stiff. This is when you are at greatest risk of injuring the area again. You should stretch the muscles every day. You should always stretch as a warmup before you play or exercise.

Don't play your sport until you are sure you can stretch the injured area without pain, swelling, or stiffness. When you start playing again, start slowly. Build up step by step to full speed.

Rest
Although it is good to start moving the injured area as soon as possible, you must also take time to rest after an injury. All injuries need time to heal; proper rest helps the process. Your doctor can guide you on the proper balance between rest and rehabilitation.

Other Therapies
Other common therapies that help with the healing process include mild electrical currents (electrostimulation), cold packs (cryotherapy), heat packs (thermotherapy), sound waves (ultrasound), and massage.

What Can People Do to Prevent Sports Injuries?
These tips can help you avoid sports injures.

•Don't bend your knees more than half way when doing knee bends.
•Don't twist your knees when you stretch. Keep your feet as flat as you can.
•When jumping, land with your knees bent.
•Do warmup exercises before you play any sport.
•Always stretch before you play or exercise.
•Don't overdo it.
•Cool down after hard sports or workouts.
•Wear shoes that fit properly, are stable, and absorb shock.
•Use the softest exercise surface you can find; don't run on asphalt or concrete.
•Run on flat surfaces.
For adults:

•Don't be a "weekend warrior." Don't try to do a week's worth of activity in a day or two.

•Learn to do your sport right. Use proper form to reduce your risk of "overuse" injuries.
•Use safety gear.
•Know your body's limits.
•Build up your exercise level gradually.
•Strive for a total body workout of cardiovascular, strength-training, and flexibility exercises.

Surprise, Surprise Men Are Not The Only Shallow Ones!

The secret is out, men aren't the only shallow ones, yet still get tarnished with that brush. Another study by someone I have never heard of has discovered that women do go for "hunks" after all, but I guess that shouldn't be surprising. Needless to say there does need to be some form of initial attraction, but I don't want us guys to be labelled shallow.

A national study of 2800 women found that the characteristics they secretly find most desirable in a man are sex appeal, physical attractiveness and masculinity, along with shared similar interests, beliefs and values.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/4121226/Hunks-top-of-wish-list

Check Out This Funny Video - Goalkeeper Blunder

These videos are brilliant because they make me feel better about my own sporting ability and also are entertaining. This one is no exception.

Thinking he had made a sublime save during a 'Throne Cup' clash between Moroccan top division teams Maghreb Fez and FAR Raba, goalkeeper Khalid Askri turns to celebrate totally unaware that the ball is coolly spinning itself into the back on the net.

The Key To A Great Birthday

For those people looking for tips on having a great birthday. You are in luck. I will shed some light on the art of celebration.

1) At least two weeks before your birthday set up an event with invitations and throw a party just before your actual birthday. Just like any party you need to make sure that certain lynchpin people are invited. These are the popular people in different groups who will invite others along and people will see they are attending and attend. This also raises awareness so that when your actual birthday is on people will remember. You can also invite people including those who couldn't make your party out for a birthday dinner on the actual day.

2) For the party get a topic going that gets people talking. I enjoyed the one this year because people always want other peoples opinions on who they look like. Costume parties are also majorly fun and a great chance to meet new people. Also attend other events close to the time where new people will hear others talking and you can invite them along too. This is the power of word of mouth advertising.

3) Have some great decorations, lights, music, novelty cups with umbrellas, straws or whatever to make things quirky. Also provide some food and alcohol (especially at Christian parties). This will help you get through the first hour or two before things heat up. I think plenty of Christians need a few beverages to come out of their shells. While this is taking place, enjoy conversations.

4) If things are going fine then people will naturally then start dancing (cutting some shapes). This is when it is crucial to have music and lights and other areas available for people who want to have deep and meaningfuls or go out for fresh air. Assuming there is no unsocial dancing (Miriam) where someone closes off the Christian circle. I don't mind grinding, pashing or shirts off dancing, but closing off the circle is banned.

5) Keep the music and dancing going until at least Christian o'clock and by that stage you will be left with the die hards who may want to hit town. Make sure there are always three people on the dance floor all evening, otherwise you get awkward solo or couple dancing. Then hit town and have fun.

6) Cook some baking rather than buying a cake for your work shout. This impresses people especially when it is chocolate, white chocolate and berry brownie. Baking is about following a recipe, although we don't have the best tools and utensils.

7) Invite people for dinner and / or your Life Group. Book a place that has heaps of space and variety. Then have a great night, making sure to socialise with everyone. The beauty of birthdays is that you often get to eat for free and you get freebies.

I have had a great birthday with my only regret being that I haven't received the second of my two gifts in the post from Invercargill yet. I don't want to seem spoilt when there are people in Christchurch without homes, but I hope it isn't sitting in a pile of rubble in the Christchurch Mail Centre.

How Guys Need To Dance To Impress Women

There has been a European study done which shows what women look for in a guy when he is dancing. It is very interesting reading. It seems that less but greater movements involving the neck, trunk, left shoulder and wrist and the right knee are what makes a man into a good and more desirable dancer. This gives guys an opportunity to practice their dance moves before hitting the night clubs. So if you see me at Boogie Wonderland again watch for enhanced/exaggerated dance moves utilising the left part of the upper body and the right knee.

We all have our favourite dance moves, but these may change after reading this. Maybe the shimmy still has a place, but pelvic thrusting must be a no-no.

The study, which also involved German's University of Gottingen, found that eight movement variables made the difference between a "good" and a "bad" dancer.

These were the size of movement of the neck, trunk, left shoulder and wrist, the variability of movement size of the neck, trunk and left wrist, and the speed of movement of the right knee.

The analysis was concentrated on three body regions: legs including the ankle, hip and knee, the arms with shoulder, elbow and wrist, and the central body with neck and trunk.

The study found that female perceptions of good dance quality were influenced most greatly by large and varied movements involving the neck and trunk. The speed of the right knee movements were also important in signaling dance quality.

A "good" dancer thus displays larger and more variable movements in relation to bending and twisting movements of their head/neck and torso, and faster bending and twisting movements of their right knee," the researchers said in a report published in the Royal Society Journal Biology Letters.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/4109596/Move-that-body-to-impress-guys

Taggers held captive, forced to dance - Extended Video - Video - 3 News

Taggers held captive, forced to dance - Extended Video - Video - 3 News
This is brilliant footage of two taggers in Whangarei who got caught tagging these peoples fence, so they were forced to dance while the owners of the house humiliated them on video. The Police finally arrived to take them into custody, now there are questions over who should be the ones being arrested here? Surely this more than hilarious footage of them dancing is enough for both parties? Hopefully these guys we be so shamed that they never tag again and the owners of the house who made them dance can't possibly be charged with anything, can they?

My Pink Socks

I was looking for some new socks to go with the tight brown 1970s suit and new shoes I had just bought. The only problem is that it is difficult to get cool brown socks, so I went into Hallensteins where they had 50% off and I found the most colourful socks I could find for a bit of a laugh. They are pink and black checked and very eye catching. It is what Rhys Darby would wear and I needed some good socks since the suit pants were so small.

I arrived at work on Monday, fresh from my party and discovered that one of my bosses who has a fascination with the colour pink, was also sporting the same pair of pink and black checked socks.

Look at them in the photo above. Are they cool retro or uncool? They were 50% off, do you think I can get away with wearing them as part of my normal attire? Or will the fashion police be onto me? I had a shirt that a gay colleague was wearing and it put me off. Should I be worried?

Celebrity Doppelganger Look-alike Birthday Party

We celebrated my birthday with a Celebrity Doppelganger Look-alike Costume Party last night. I came as the predictable Rhys Darby (wearing dark rimmed glasses gives me a striking resemblance), but there were some other great costumes on display. Lady Gaga, Lara Croft, The Matrix men, Tony Underwood, The Bains, Katy Perry, Cameron Diaz, Pacey off Dawsons Creek among heaps of other celebrities. Check out the photos above. There was plenty of cutting shapes on the floor, some guessing character games in the kitchen and plenty of conversations. There were about 50 people throughout the evening meaning that you would always have someone fresh to talk to or mingle with. There was a general lack of awkwardness apart from the odd solo dancer on the dance floor.

We went to Boogie Wonderland and I got plenty of attention from a younger than usual crowd there. Several comments and some guys wanted to get a photo of me for their adult movie. I did not want to participate but they basically took a photo anyway. It is hard to believe what sort of attention you get when you look like a celebrity among semi drunk people. Once you have had a few drinks the point of difference between myself and Rhys Darby diminishes with each glass. There was a good crew of about 10 of us but I must admit that Boogie Wonderland music wasn't as good last night with too many slow non dance songs being played and the new DJ just keeps the songs going for the entire duration. In the past, the songs would be cut.

We ended up waiting to get into Red Square and lost most of our females before going to Estadio. There used to be a great spot upstairs in the old Temperance, but that was shut. We ended up splitting into two groups on the downstairs dancefloor once Guns guy mates showed up and started hitting on each other. The rest of us danced on while Lim was the only one getting any action with some close dancing with a blonde who loved his jovial football chant style hands above the head bouncing up and down. This time, unlike his time at Red Square a month or so back he got photographic evidence to show his mum.

Overall it was a good night which was plenty of fun with a big crew.

Watch This Dog Dance

Watch this guy in Chile dancing the merengue with a dog. He is impressive, but a few questions spring to mind. How did you think the dog learned how to do this dance? Does the guy always dance with dogs or does he sometimes dance with women?

Christians in Sport - Jarryd Hayne

He may be one of the most freakish players in the NRL, but Parramatta flyer Jarryd Hayne is also a devout Christian and here are some articles on him that might be of interest to those who love this sort of thing as much as I do.

A year ago when this article was written Hayne attended Hillsong Church after he was invited along. This was after his life reached a low point getting shot at after a night out in Kings Cross in 2008. Fijian winger Semi Tadulala was already a Christian and they became friends during the World Cup for Fiji.

I chose the quote below because it speaks volumes about the work of life groups at churches.

''The people at Hillsong have got a good connect group,'' Hayne says. ''Every second Tuesday we come in and share our stories and, yeah, just chill. A group of guys and girls, you know, couples and singles, it's good. We sit back and talk about life and how God has affected your life.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/lhqnews/from-the-cross-to-the-flock/2009/09/03/1251570800005.html

Here is another article I enjoyed reading.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/hayne-wants-origin-spot/story-e6frfgdx-1225707014093

Flight of the Conchords Stars In The Simpsons

Bret and Jemaine from Flight of the Conchords fame have received the ultimate compliment and become characters in an episode of The Simpsons. Lisa Simpson goes to band camp and the two guys are part of an all star cast playing the role of dorky camp counsellors. I would love to voice a cartoon character, not necessarily of myself. Jemaine is also voicing a character in the movie Despicable Me being released soon.



http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv/4090288/Bret-and-Jemaines-guest-turn

Movie Popcorn Is Amazingly Bad For You

Don't read this if you are easily grossed out, but a study done by the Center for Science in the Public Interest has released information about how many calories and saturated fat that go into food you eat at the movies. One medium popcorn and soda (American styles) have 1,610 calories and three days’ worth—60 grams—of saturated fat. Check out the article below because it makes for interesting reading.

http://www.cspinet.org/new/200911182.html

Are You A Morning Person or Night Owl?

It seems that you can't be both a morning "Early Bird" and a "Night Owl". What makes people into what they are? Is it a genetic thing? Is it something in the way a brought up? Did your family always stay up late or go to bed early when you were growing up? Is it just a stage of life? If you are young with children you have to become a morning person, while when you are a young single your flatmates stay up late watching television, going to parties or surfing the Internet.

Do you think that once you are one, you can't become the other?

I think we change depending on the situation. I have never been a morning person but may one day have to become one out of necessity.

I think more single teenagers and twenty somethings are morning people but when people settle down into their 30s they become morning people. However, just because you have to get up early to feed the kids does it mean you become a morning person? how long can a morning person last working the late shift? Does your body adjust with time?

I am a Night Owl, but would like to hope that if my situation changes, that I could one day become a Morning Person through training my body to function before 9am.

Why Are Tennis Balls Yellow?

What Color Is a Tennis Ball?: Tennis Equipment | eHow.com


I heard an interesting discussion on RadioSport this morning about why tennis balls are yellow? It ends up that it is purely for visibility. Spectators at home watching on television and actually at the match find yellow the easiest to see and the easiest coloured surface is blue/purple. I guess this colour combination provides the best contrast. There was a recent tournament where they tried using white balls and yellow lines, but it was still difficult to see. Unfortunately the people who ran that tournament got the balls custom made and had to order in thousands, so they are now left with heaps of white balls.


The "Optic Yellow" color is intended to have the best overall visibility. Some argue that orange is more visible in certain conditions, but it doesn't show up well on TV, so it won't be adopted for many pro events.
http://tennis.about.com/od/tennisballfaq/f/faqballs011.htm