Free Live Streaming Test Cricket Australia vs India 2011/2012

Free Live Streaming Cricket Australia vs India 2011/2012 from Australia.



http://www.oleoletv.com/sports/cricket/

Free Live Streaming NBA Basketball 2011/2012

Watch free live streaming NBA Basketball Starting December 25th.


http://www.oleoletv.com/sports/basketball/

Is Facebook Down For Long?

Facebook is currently out of action on 25th December 2011. I wonder if the influx of users wishing their friends a Merry Christmas has overloaded the website? Hopefully it isn't a case of something more sinister as I patiently wait to wish my friends a Merry Christmas. There could be a mystery virus or something worse affecting the website instead, but more than likely it will be down because of traffic overload. I wonder how much longer it will be down for?

Prince Harry Getting A 'Grow Your Own Girlfriend' For Christmas

The secret is out and it seems that Prince Harry won't be in for a Christmas surprise when he opens his Christmas presents this year. It seems that he will receive a 'Grow Your Own Girlfriend' joke type present from his brother and the Duchess of Cambridge. He will also get some Gucci loafers. Word of this Christmas present has somewhat ruined the Christmas surprise, but shows that he is still single despite rumours of women including Pippa Middleton being on the scene and that the Royal Family does have a sense of humour. What is not spending much money by their standards is definitely not the same as our standards when you consider they are cutting back and buying Gucci loafers. Who knows, the 'Grow Your Own Girlfriend" could become a phenomenon and be the most popular Christmas present worldwide following this news.

The final question that everyone is thinking is where do you get them?

Britain's Duchess of Cambridge has reportedly bought Prince Harry a 'Grow Your Own Girlfriend' kit for Christmas.

Kate Middleton married Prince William in April and is celebrating her first festive season as part of the royal family.

It's been decided that the group will give each other low-key but fun gifts this year, in part due to the on-going global financial crisis.

While Kate has chosen something sentimental for William's grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, she's embraced the joke theme when it comes to his single brother Harry.

"Kate and William have bought him a Grow Your Own Girlfriend kit, along with a more stylish gift - Gucci loafers because 'all his shoes have holes in them,'" reports the British edition of Grazia magazine.

The duchess has opted for a framed photograph of the queen with her beloved pet corgis for the monarch, while William will be getting pictures of their recent trip to Canada and a beanie hat.

The young couple will spend Christmas at the royal family's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

Christmas Eve will be an "informal" affair, with soup, cheese and port on the menu. December 25 will start with breakfast at 8.30am, followed by a church service.

After that dinner will be served.

"The queen is in charge of the seating plan," Majesty magazine editor Ingrid Seward explained. "As the newcomer Kate is likely to be placed next to Prince Phillip. She's probably have Prince Harry on her other side, to provide some light relief."

During the feast of lobster, turkey and Christmas pudding the family will pull crackers, which have been made by Kate and her mother-in-law Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/celebrities/6175100/Harry-gets-girlfriend-for-Christmas

2011 Most Watched YouTube Clips and Google Searches

Here is an article based on the most viewed YouTube videos and the most searched for terms on Google in 2011. It is an interesting trip down memory lane and the Google search by month gives an interesting overview of events that happened this year. The amazing thing is that most of the YouTube most viewed videos by New Zealanders are made by New Zealanders. We are a loyal bunch! The most viewed video was Friday by Rebecca Black.

As a blogger of some repute I find it useful to discover what is the most popular searched term in Google so I can get plenty of website traffic.

Video hosting site YouTube is proving what we likely already knew - Kiwis just can't get enough of watching themselves.

Of the top 10 clips viewed by New Zealanders this year, eight were homegrown, including the now-infamous Nek Minute and Ghost Chips videos.

The clip Nek Minute, uploaded by skateboarder Levi Hawken mucking around with a scooter, featured at number two on the list with 1.7 million views.

It was beaten only by the so-called "worst song ever written", 13-year-old Rebecca Black's Friday, which caused a global sensation when it was released earlier this year.

Friday, the most-watched YouTube video the world over, now has more than 167 million hits.

Others on the list, in full below, included footage from the Christchurch Earthquake and the flash haka performed at Sylvia Park in Auckland during the Rugby World Cup.

"The 10 most-watched YouTube videos of 2011 show that around the world, whatever language we speak, there are certain things that bring us all together around a computer screen or mobile phone - adorable babies, talented performers, and clever advertising," YouTube trends manager Kevin Allocca said.

YouTube also compiled a list of top-searched terms for each month. These included "ghost chips" in November and "fight for life" in December so far. The full list is also below.

Most-watched YouTube community videos in New Zealand of 2011 were:

1. Rebecca Black - Friday (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
Labelled the worst song ever written, Rebecca Black's video Friday - paid for by her mother - shot to fame on March 11 this year.

2. Nek Minute
Dunedin-based skateboarder Levi Hawken was just mucking around when his friend Colin Evans filmed this clip, then uploaded it to YouTube. It pushed the catchphrase "nek minnit" into the global vocabulary and the 35-year-old on to the world stage.

3. Stand in Black
The Adidas support video for the All Blacks, New Zealand's national rugby team. The team went on to with the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

4. Mile-high madness with Richard Simmons! #RICHROLL
Air New Zealand have become infamous for their outrageous safety videos and advertising campaigns. This clip featured weight-loss guru Richard Simmons taking passengers through their paces.

Ad Feedback 5. Ultimate Dog Tease
A clip of a "talking" dog. It's popularity really is a mystery.

6. Major Earthquake has hit Christchurch, New Zealand
Raw footage uploaded by state broadcaster TVNZ just minutes after the February earthquake in Christchurch. 181 were killed in the quake.

7. Samsung Smart TV TVC New Zealand
An advert featuring scenic Kiwi countryside advertising the Samsung Smart TV. The original link has been taken down by the user, but this replacement video is already on its way back up the charts.

8. Legend
Created by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) as part of its ongoing road safety campaign, the clip Legend gained instant popularity for its jokey Kiwi humour - opposed to the shock tactics usually used against drunk driving. It features a young man "internalising a really complicated situation" as he ponders whether or not to tell his mate not to drive home.

9. Cadbury Share the Joy Song
A Cadbury chocolate advertisement created entirely from the sounds of New Zealanders experiencing joy - with a little help from 10 time Grammy winner Bobby McFerrin.

10.Flash Haka @ Sylvia Park, 4.Sept.11
A group of young men performing their first flash-mob haka at Sylvia Park on Sunday became global stars when the clip was picked up by worldwide news organisations.

Flash haka then became one of the star features of the Rugby World cup, with the group going on to stop traffic when they took over a Queen St intersection with another impromptu performance.

Also provided by YouTube's figures:

NZ's most-watched music videos:
1. LMFAO - Party Rock Anthem ft. Lauren Bennett, GoonRock
2. Nicki Minaj - Super Bass
3. Bruno Mars - The Lazy Song [Official Video]
4. Jessie J - Price Tag ft. B.o.B.
5. Jennifer Lopez - On The Floor ft. Pitbull
6. Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra)
7. Katy Perry - Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)
8. Chris Brown - Look At Me Now ft. Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes
9. LMFAO - Sexy and I Know It
10. Adele - 'Someone Like You'

Most-watched YouTube videos globally:
1. Rebecca Black - Friday (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
2. Ultimate Dog Tease
3. Jack Sparrow (feat. Michael Bolton)
4. Talking Twin Babies - PART 2 - OFFICIAL VIDEO
5. Nyan Cat [original]
6. Look At Me Now - Chris Brown ft. Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes (Cover by @KarminMusic)
7. The Creep (feat. Nicki Minaj & John Waters)
8. Maria Aragon - Born This Way (Cover) by Lady Gaga
9. The Force: Volkswagen Commercial
10. Cat mom hugs baby kitten

Most-watched music videos on YouTube globally.
1. Jennifer Lopez - On The Floor ft. Pitbull
2. LMFAO - Party Rock Anthem ft. Lauren Bennett, GoonRock
3. Bruno Mars - The Lazy Song [Official Video]
4. Nicki Minaj - Super Bass
5. Pitbull - Give Me Everything ft. Ne-Yo, Afrojack, Nayer
6. Pitbull - Rain Over Me ft. Marc Anthony
7. Jessie J - Price Tag ft. B.o.B.
8. LMFAO - Sexy and I Know It
9. Katy Perry - E.T. ft. Kanye West
10. Katy Perry - Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)

Most searched for terms in New Zealand during 2011, by month:

January ricky gervais
February christchurch earthquake
March charlie sheen
April party rock anthem
May someone like you
June man down rihanna
July moves like jagger
August stereo hearts
September flash haka
October we found love
November ghost chips
December fight for life


http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/6169585/Top-10-YouTube-clips-of-2011

The Hobbit Official Trailer: An Unexpected Journey 2012 Has Been Released - What Do You Think?

Sir Peter Jackson's The Hobbit movie trailer has been released, what do you think? This is going to be awesome given how it was filmed in New Zealand and includes so many familiar actors and I know so many people who have worked on it around Wellington. The Hobbit is released in December 2012.
http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/wb/thehobbit/

North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Il's Death A Tragic Loss For World Golf

The recent death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il is a tragic loss for world golf given reports of his 11 holes-in-one in a single round in 1994. This farsical performance would surely have seen him overtake surpass the achievements of the likes of Tiger Woods in the last twenty years, especially since it was his first ever round of golf watch only by his 17 security guards. I am sure the top golfers in the world breathed a sigh of relief knowing their golf major tournaments will be easier to win without such a fine golfer. This reminds me of Mr Burns at the Springfield Nuclear Powerplant Christmas Party. Yes, it is a farcical situation. Do you think this surpasses the Pakistani match-fixing or the tall stories told by Jay from The Inbetweeners, it is all good for a story, but it didn't actually happen!

WASHINGTON — North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il's death was noted on Twitter as an epic loss to golf, with hundreds recalling the Stalinist state media's reports of Kim's 11 holes-in-one in a single round in 1994.

Reports hailed Kim's 38-under par 34 over 18 holes at the 7,700-yard Pyongyang Golf Course in his first try at golf, a feat watched purportedly by 17 security guards protecting the man hailed as "Dear Leader."

Kim, who died on Saturday of a heart attack at age 69, was 52 at the time he purportedly fired a round where birdie was his worst score on any hole.

Twitter skeptics wondered whether or not Kim might have tried to surpass such stars as Tiger Woods or reigning World No. 1 Luke Donald of England had he truly gone 21 strokes below best score from a US PGA golfer.

"Look at it this way: With Kim Jong Il dying, everybody will be moving up one spot in the World Golf Rankings," noted Dan Daly in a Twitter posting.

Others pondered the golf showdowns that never happened.

"Kim Jong-il's passing means LukeDonald is now indisputably golf's world no.1," Tweeted John Mackay. "Congrats Luke. Just a shame it wasn't settled on the course."

"Golf world mourns the passing of the prodigious world leader never to win a major," Tweeted Shaun Hinds.

Even Paddy Power tweeted that "The world has lost a golfing legend, we're 1,000,000/1 for any PGA player to beat Kim Jong Il's record round of 38 under."

Some saw hope for Kim from beyond the grave, Rick Reilly posting, "Just in from North Korean state news agency: Kim Jong Il's corpse shoots 54, incl 6 aces."

Nick Howell pondered what might have been, saying his record round "Could've been even better if his ball hadn't stuck under the windmill on the eleventh."

Alistair Barrie was shocked there was not more mention on golf websites, noting, "No one seems remotely concerned that the world's greatest golfer has died."

"With passing of Kim Jong Il, sports world may have lost greatest golfer of all time," tweeted HuffPost Sports.

"The golf world mourns the loss of Kim Jong-Il. Routinely scored 3 or 4 aces every round according to state run media, so it must be true," wrote Len Berman.

Ray Ratto had his suspicions, tweeting "don't fully buy this Kim Jong-Il golf story. Surely the Callaway people would have sent him a hat, a shoulder patch or something."

In a timely post with Christmas approaching, Chris Scoular said, "The North Korean equivalent of finding out Santa isnt real must be finding out Kim Jong Il didnt invent the hamburger or shoot a 38 in golf."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iHo-tVO3KmuhboA5QKTQpsA0CjVQ?docId=CNG.dc174d876c76cc1b32e809185eb09d1b.11

The Best and Worst Christmas Movies Of All Time!

I watched Miracle on 34th Street (1947 version) last night in black and white to get into the Christmas spirit. It left me wondering what the best and worst Christmas movies of all time are? There are so many lists on so many websites, but below is a selection from several. A Christmas Story 1983 seems to be widely regarded as a very highly rated Christmas movie. The Independent provides a list below which I think has a few controversial selections like Gremlins and Die Hard, although it depends how closely linked to Christmas a movie can must be in order to be considered.

There are also some terrible Christmas movies too. Have you seen Santa With Muscles starring Hulk Hogan, Santa Claus Conquers The Martians or Silent Night, Deadly Night?

These lists are also interesting given that Home Alone rates highly, but Home Alone 3 doesn't. What about National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation? There was no mention of Bad Santa either.

What are some Christmas movies you love or movies you know that should be on these lists?




A Christmas Story 1983

Ralphie has to convince his parents, teachers, and Santa that a Red Ryder BB gun really is the perfect gift for the 1940's.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085334/

The Snowman

Often a barometer for just how close Christmas is, this short animation is a beautiful example of a film that marries style and substance. It will melt even the coldest of hearts and boasts a soundtrack that makes grown men attempt their best impressions of prepubescent choirboys.

Love Actually

Whatever your opinion of the foppish, floppy-haired charm of Hugh Grant, you can’t deny that it suits the festive period. Written by rom-com royalty, Richard Curtis and starring a brilliant British cast (including the genuinely charming Martine McCutcheon), this is one for those who feel like indulging their soppy side.

The Grinch

Every family has someone who pretends to hate Christmas, delighting in shouts of “bah humbug!” and streaming TV documentaries rather than enjoying a film with the family, but this film shows no one is a lost cause when it comes to festive miracles. With the fantastic Jim Carrey playing the Grinch, if you want to convert the scrooge in your household this could just be the film to do it.

A Muppet Christmas Carol

Talking of Scrooge, Charles Dickens’s classic tale is revamped in this film starring Kermit the frog and pals. Perfect for kids and adults alike, this uplifting story is the ideal film for the post-Christmas lunch lull.

Die Hard

No fat bearded man in a red suit, just a filthy vest wearing Bruce Willis hell-bent on stopping terrorists ruining Christmas. An alternative to the usual fare, pop this on after a long Christmas Day to redress the balance. Yippee-ki-yay!

Elf

Another film that the whole family can enjoy, the hilarious Will Ferrell plays an elf that finds out he’s actually a human. Cue a hilarious trip to New York to find his real dad and some typical Ferrell humour.

Miracle On 34 Street

A little girl who doesn’t believe in Father Christmas? What kind of festive film is this? Well as the title suggests, the kind that converts a cynical kid into Santa’s biggest fan by way of a miraculous series of events.



Gremlins

Managing to be both cute and terrifying is something the stars of this film achieve in abundance. If the Gremlins touch water, they multiply at an alarming rate but don’t worry, this is a film set over the Christmas period and true to form, there’s a happy ending!

Home Alone

If a crafty kid thwarting some burglars with elaborate traps sounds like your idea of a great Christmas, then Home Alone is the film for you. Probably the most quotable film on this list, Home Alone is great for kids of all ages and was of course the film that made Macaulay Culkin a houseHold name.

It’s A Wonderful Life

If Christmas is all about heart-warming fables, then It’s A Wonderful Life has to be the pick of the bunch. Frank Capra’s story of life and love in a small town in America is the perfect feel good film and no Christmas is complete without it.

Whether you watch online TV or old videos that whir and splutter, watching these films is a vital part of Christmas tradition and a great opportunity to spend some quality time with family and really get into the festive spirit.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/the-top-10-christmas-films-of-all-time-6279345.html

Fandango, the online movie ticket seller, polled its customers and – this was a shock for us, too — the winner wasn’t “Santa With Muscles,” a 1996 Hulk Hogan vehicle. (But it did make the Top 10.) No, Fandango said that voters by a wide margin picked “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians,” a 1964 fantasy that cost $20,000 and was originally released on about 100 screens.

As it happens – Fandango promises it’s pure coincidence — “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians” is back in theaters, playing New York and Los Angeles (through Sunday) and a smattering of other cities until Christmas. Over 200 theaters are on board; a complete list is available at SantaMartiansMovie.com.

Holland Releasing, a Calabasas, Calif., distributor of B movies, is to thank (or perhaps to blame). Its owner, Tom Holland, said on Friday that he found an old print of “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians” in Europe and restored it, hoping that 30 to 50 college theaters and specialty spots like San Francisco’s Castro Theater would pick up the movie.

“I could hear smiles on the faces of these grumpy old film bookers, and it just kind of took off,” Mr. Holland said. Its selling point? “The sets are cardboard and the costumes are absurd, but the acting is actually decent,” he said. The film stars Broadway and character actors like Bill McCutcheon and John Call.

Top Ten Worst Christmas Films
1. Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
2. Silent Night, Deadly Night
3. Jingle All the Way
4. Jack Frost
5. Santa With Muscles
6. Ernest Saves Christmas
7. Home Alone 3
8. Deck the Halls
9. Surviving Christmas
10. Christmas With the Kranks

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/17/a-spirited-contest-for-worst-christmas-movie-ever/

Sun Hei vs Citizen Hong Kong Own Goal Scorpion Kick Football

Watch this incredible own goal scored from a scorpion kick in a football match in Hong Kong.

MAGIC MOMENT BEST OWN GOAL EVER !!!! Sun Hei Vs Citizen Hong Kong HD This is just tremendous. We've seen scorpion kick saves from goalkeepers and attempts to score with scorpion kicks, but this might be the first backwards scorpion kick own goal.

Whatever The World's Most Annoying Word in the World - What Do You Think It Should Be?

According to a telephone survey (who actually conducts phone surveys these days) the most annoying word in the world is "whatever". I don't know heaps of people that use this word and wonder just how American influenced this survey is? I thought words like "basically", "actually", "for mine", "yeah definitely" and "yeah nah" would be considered annoyingly over-used in New Zealand.

Do you want to kill a conversation? Try saying "whatever."

Words like "you know" and "like" might be irritating to hear, but for the third year in a row, it's "whatever" that holds the most power to annoy, according to an annual survey by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.

Nearly four in ten adults named "whatever" as the most annoying verbal filler in casual conversation, while one in five adults had similar disdain for "like" and 'you know."

"Just sayin'" and "seriously" were more forgiving to the ears, though still quite irritating, Marist found.

The telephone survey of 1,026 adults nationally had a margin of error of three percentage points.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/oddstuff/6166055/Whatever-worlds-most-annoying-word-poll

Adidas Football Bursts During German Bundesliga Match Between Bayern Munich and Cologne

This is a great football clip where the football bursts during a German Bundesliga match between Bayern Munich and Cologne. It isn't a good look for Adidas who makes these balls.

It's safe to say that Adidas copped a bit of flak for their Jabulani ball used at last year's Fifa World Cup.

So this is the last thing they would have wanted to see at a German Bundesliga match between Bayern Munich and Cologne.

It all started with an innocent free kick by Bayern's defender Daniel van Buyten - but that was before it took a deflection off a defender and its insides popped out.

Everyone seemed a bit confused by it, until Arjen Robben picked it up and booted it into the stands as the crowd cheered his treatment of the faulty ball.

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/opinions/show/2770009/football-bursts-in-german-bundesliga-match/

Highlights of 2011 - A Year In Review - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Santa Claus is back again although he looks like he needs money for food judging by this photo taken at the annual Christmas party.

Northland was the holiday destination at the end of 2011 and start of 2012. It was fun in the sun and this year we hit Coromandel for some more fun, awkward games and beach frollicking.


The Wellington Sevens 2011 was a popular outing. New Zealand won and these buzzy bees became honorary Tongans. Next year we are joining the biggest costume party in Wellington which will literally be wild, although our 2012 costumes are top secret.

The Queen's Birthday trip to Hawkes Bay was another brilliant weekend away. It wasn't as awkward as 2010, but the spa pool, unseasonably warm weather and combination of quality people made for another memorable weekend.

This year I hit Europe and caught up with my New Zealand and Swedish family. It was funny having most of us together in Europe. I also spent time away from the family and saw so many amazing sites in Amsterdam, Berlin and Croatia. I also met lots of people while on tour in the romantic Italian city of Venice.


I also had the expensive priviledge of attending the Rugby World Cup 2011 including all of the Wellington pool matches and the big one The Rugby World Cup Final 2011 at Eden Park where the mighty All Blacks finally won for the first time since 1987.


The inflatable sumo wrestling suits were a highlight at the annual Christmas Party at Claremont Grove.

Other highlights include
Getting second in Monday Night Mens Div A tennis competition including career high singles and doubles rankings at various times.
Getting second in Div 1 Mixed Wednesday Night Total Touch.


Twice winning tickets to sit on the Lazyboy chairs at the Wellington Phoenix home matches including food, drink, a cap and tickets to the Gold Lounge at Reading Cinemas.
Keeping the good social times happening at The Street City Church with holidays, parties, events and sports happening.
Meeting heaps of awesome people.
Forging a name for myself in the journalism and blogging world at both work and play.
Surviving a second year flatting with David Lim.

Merry Christmas everyone and a Happy New Year!

Remember to re-gift and buy group buying website vouchers unless you are buying presents for me. If you appreciate either of my blogs then show your appreciation by getting amongst the advertisements you see around the top and sides of my blog. This helps fund my passions in life!

Twins Have Affair With Uncle - Listen To This Awkward Radio Talkback Christmas Call

The story sounds more like something similar to Hugh Hefner's life

Listen to this audio clip from Newstalk ZB where Bruce Russell's show gets interesting when two 19 year old twin girls ring up claiming to be having an affair with their uncle. It is supposed to be on the topic of Christmas, but Bruce gets more than he bargained on with this awkward talkback call! Listen to this link! Are these two women for real? This is like something of Jerry Springer or something.



http://dannews.co.nz/2011/12/19/audio-awkward-zb/

Nearly A Third Of New Zealanders Re-Gift Christmas Presents

In a recent survey, 29 percent of kiwis re-gift Christmas presents and the worst culprits are high earning professional Wellington women. Does this sound like you? I re-gift if it is something that will be suitable for the recipient, although this year I have been lucky and have received food for Secret Santa gifts. What do you think of re-gifting? I have rules like the recipient isn't the initial person who gave you the gift and the initial giver who gave you the gift isn't present when the next recipient receives the gift.

If you're a woman with a high income from Wellington, the odds are you'll be re-gifting unwanted pressies from the past.

Survey results from New Zealand's largest research-based business consultancy TNS shows almost a third of Kiwis (29%) have no problem passing their unwanted gifts to someone else at Christmas time.

Thirty nine per cent of Wellingtonians admit to present-passing-on, followed closely by Aucklanders (33%).

However it's the high-income Kiwis ($100,000 +) who are the biggest fans of re-gifting, with 38 per cent acknowledging their friends or family have received their cast-off presents. They're followed by 35 per cent of households with an annual income of $70,000 - $100,000.

But it's women who are the ones who think it's OK to 'pass it on.' A total of 38 per cent of women do it, compared to just 21 per cent of men.

While it might seem those choosing to re-gift are not being very grateful, our hearts still seem to be in the right place however, because 31 per cent of respondents to the survey intend to donate to a charity this Christmas. And of those who regularly give to charity at this time of year, 22 per cent say they're going to donate more than in previous years.

David Thomas, Director TNS New Zealand says the survey provided an opportunity to gauge how New Zealanders were feeling about Christmas this year.

"It's good to see that even after a rough year, Kiwis still have their charitable spirit. Even if gifts don't hit the mark this year, at least they won't be going to waste!" he says.

But it pays to take heed of the 'Eight Golden Rules of Re-gifting.'

1. On receiving an unwanted gift: Label it clearly with the giver's name before storing for re-gifting

2. Think carefully about who will be the recipient so you can be sure they'll appreciate and keep the gift (you don't want it back next year)

3. Show you've put thought and effort into your gift with creative wrapping

4. Don't 're-gift' used stuff - that's not re-gifting, that's clearing the shelves. Give those things to charity shops.

5. Candles (unless they love collecting candles), old boxed sets of towels, bath products or pens, obscure CDs or books, socks - are all a no-no. After all, there was a reason you didn't like them in the first place, wasn't there?

6. Speaking of old gifts - re-gift promptly. Receiving something that's been stored for 20 years or so and unearthed when you cleaned out the cupboards isn't a gift, it's an insult.

7. Don't tell the recipient it's a re-gift of something you didn't want

8. Do tell the recipient it's a re-gift if it's genuinely something you adore, and you know they have set covetous eyes on it as well - you'll score big brownie points for that re-gift.

"Our survey results just go to show that reusing and recycling isn't rubbish - if we all follow the Rules of Re-gifting, everyone can have a great Christmas."

Research was carried out during the week 7-13 December with a sample of 1005 nationally representative New Zealanders on behalf of TNS via Smile City, New Zealand's largest and most robust online panel.

http://nz.finance.yahoo.com/news/Third-kiwis-gift-unwanted-yahoofinancenzwp-3638805963.html;_ylt=ArqY1_Rr0mqaazxZpzxSNyeXRZNG;_ylu=X3oDMTFkaW9lbWJnBHBvcwM1BHNlYwNuZXdzSHViQXJ0aWNsZUxpc3QEc2xrA3RoaXJkb2ZraXdpcw--?x=0

Wingwoman A Modern Take On The Wingman

Here is an interesting article I found on Stuff about the increasingly popular role of the wingwoman rather than the wingman. The advantage is that usually the wingwoman has more female contacts and can more naturally approach women at a bar without seeming as sleazy or as pimpish as a male wingman could.

However, the concept of paying for a wingman or wingwoman does seem very borderline as far as appropriateness goes (a tad pimpish), especially if the girl you were after finds out. This is probably no different to Hitch (the movie) or going to a Dating Agency.

Can it work the other way where a wingman helps out a woman? Is it still called a wingman? I must admit I have taken on the wingman role on several ocassions with varying degrees of success!

It's a warm Saturday night. Two men wait near the entrance of Melbourne's Transport nightclub, looking expectantly at every attractive woman who walks past.

''I'm a bit nervous,'' says thirtysomething Max, dressed smartly in stonewash jeans and a leather jacket. ''But I've read the material and done some practice so it should be good.''

Adam, who looks much younger, and wears a short-sleeved shirt, jeans and sneakers, is equally hopeful. The pair are about to meet a professional ''wingwoman'', whose job is to help them meet women.

Wingwomen are the latest twist on the ''wingman'' - a sidekick who helps his mates approach women. The term was popularised by the 1986 movie Top Gun.

Professional wingmen, who are paid to help shy guys approach women in bars and clubs, have been flying around nightspots since the late 2000s. But according to Max and Adam, who have both taken private ''dating workshops'' and read seduction manuals, women are growing inured to wingman tactics.

So they have volunteered for The Age to spend a night with wingwoman ''Kate'' from Melbourne dating school the Modern Man. The service normally costs $597 (NZ$791) for two three-hour evenings out on the town.

Kate, a 27-year-old model/counsellor with a psychology degree and a merry English accent, seems ideal for the role.

''I'm going to strike up a conversation with some lovely girl, and then you guys just walk through and I'll introduce you as my friends,'' she says. ''Can we kiss you?'' asks Max. ''I mean, on the cheek ... And then maybe if I go for a drink, you can say something like 'This guy is really hot'? That would be really cool.''

Kate laughs and leads the pair into the club. After some reconnaissance, she tilts her chin towards two pretty, fashionable women. ''I'm going in,'' she informs them, like a true squadron leader. ''Adam, you follow in a minute.''

She explains to the women that she's new in town and is wondering where to go dancing. Adam sidles in and Kate introduces him as her friend from uni.

The foursome chat amiably but after a few minutes the ''targets'' exchange a knowing look and say they need to go to the bathroom. It's a promising start, according to Kate. ''The first approaches are just about gaining confidence, getting the numbers up,'' she says. ''We might talk to 20 girls, and maybe two of them will be interested.''

She never discloses who she is, but has no qualms about her role. ''I don't see it as deception ... I'm trying to get guys to approach women they actually like. Some wingmen, they tend to be more focused on one-night stands ... I see [this] as helping guys improve their confidence so girls like us can find a good one.'' Indeed, Max and Adam say their ultimate goal is to find a ''soulmate'', although Adam says ''it could work as a one-night stand''. Kate says most of her clients get between two and 25 phone numbers during a weekend, and that a former client is now engaged to a woman he met in her workshop in February.
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She works as a wingwoman every Friday and Saturday night, and is paid $60 (NZ$79.50) an hour by her agent, Alexandre Marks, founder of the Modern Man agency.

Marks, 31, a self-professed ''former IT nerd'' has a squadron of eight wingwomen working for him in Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. About 40 men have used the Melbourne service since it started in February, compared with about 100 men who have opted to hire one of his wingmen.

''It really works - if a woman approaches other women, they will let their defences down,'' he says. ''Some women are becoming very snobbish ... they just won't give us the time of day.''

Marks says that the clients are discreetly screened before meeting the wingwomen and believes the public nature of their work makes it safer. ''These blokes are never going to create any trouble because all our workshops are held in public places ... And almost all of them are just out to get phone numbers.''

Adam and Max are among them. Adam almost ''converted'' - that is, got a number from - hairdresser Billie, 26, but she was called away by a friend.

She later tells The Age she wasn't really interested but that Adam ''did seem a lot nicer with that girl as his friend''. So would she mind if she discovered that a new boyfriend had paid a wingwoman to help him meet women? ''No, I wouldn't mind. But it would have to be the right guy.''


WINGWOMAN TACTICS

1. Get to know your charge, the kind of woman he's looking for, and his "confidence barriers". Was he teased at school; does he consider himself unattractive or is he simply shy?

2. Create a backstory: how do you know each other? Why are you out tonight?

3. Shooting practice. Approach as many women as possible - regardless of whether he finds them attractive or note.

4. Encourage your guy to try an "opinion opener", in which he engages a woman with a conundrum, such as "My best friend's wife cheated on him, but now he wants to take her back - what do you think?", or "Who do reckon is hotter, David Beckham or Brad Pitt?" Another tactic is the "high five": if a girl looks friendly and has a sense of humour, give her a cheesy high five and ask her how her night's going.

5. Once the technique is honed and he feels confident, target women he is attracted to. If the target is willing, try a gentle touch on the small of the back, but nowhere lower, or higher.

6. Don't stay in the battle-zone too long, and encourage your charge to "close" after 10 minutes or so by taking out his phone; the woman should then offer to put her phone number into it. NEVER ask directly if you can help it for a phone number; it's just not very alpha-male.

7. Take up space. Women like alpha men: you should stand tall with your legs apart, but don't tower over her or stand too close either.

- The Age

http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/6161390/The-rise-of-the-wingwoman

New Zealand's Two Latest Prime Ministers - John Key and Helen Clark

May I present to you New Zealand's two most recent leaders Prime Ministers John Key and Helen Clark. Does anyone else find this disturbing? Is this what happens if you cross Labour and National politicians?

Watch Free Live Streaming Football Newcastle Jets vs Wellington Phoenix Hyundai A League

Watch Free Live Streaming Football Newcastle Jets vs Wellington Phoenix Hyundai A League

http://www.oleoletv.com/sports/football/

Free Live Streaming Big Bash League Twenty 20 Cricket Australia

Watch free live streaming Australia Big Bash League Twenty 20 cricket.

http://www.oleoletv.com/sports/cricket/

Kids Receiving Intentionally Crappy Christmas Presents

Kids receiving intentionally crappy Christmas presents is an interesting display of how lucky we have become really. It is pretty funny seeing the response of these children when they open these terrible presents even though there are heaps of children in the world who would be grateful for these gifts. Warning: this video has the cheesy canned laughter.

Kids Receiving Intentionally Crappy Christmas Presents Is The Funniest Thing You’ll See Today


When Jimmy Kimmel put out a call for parents to give their kids something undesirable as an early Christmas present — and capture the kids' reactions on camera, of course — viewers obliged in droves. The end result, this compilation, is fantastically entertaining. Our personal favorite is the "gender norm" family, in which the two girls get "boy" things, and their brother reacts to his gift thusly: "I got a girl activity book with stickers — I'm not a girl! You're the worst family ever." Merry Christmas, everyone!

http://jezebel.com/5867978/children-receiving-bad-christmas-presents-is-as-funny-as-it-sounds

Steven From Dunedin - A Blast From The Past

This is a video after Steven From Dunedin wanted to host Cow TV around 2003

I was listening to the final Saturday Morning Doug Out show on Radio Sport (finally they are getting rid of Doug Golightly) and there was a call from Steven from Dunedin who used to be a long time caller to both Radio Sport and Dunedin's local Channel 9 Cow TV hosted by Andrew Mulligan who now heads the Crowd Goes Wild on Prime. I remember listening to Steven getting the micky taken out of him on by the media because he was keen but unfortunately has some form of disability. He would ring up the radio and television and became a bit of a celebrity briefly between about 2002 and 2004.

When doing my Diploma in Journalism I had to get some interviews for a radio show I was doing and I thought I would ring up Steven from Dunedin at The Edgar Centre in Dunedin which was his main place to hang out and umpire junior mini-ball and basketball. He would always go on about the Tahuna Pauas mini-ball team he coached. I organised an interview with him for the Friday, where I was intending to get his rugby picks for the weekend.

I called him on the Friday and knew it was going to be hard work. I think he must rehearse what he would ring up and say on television and radio, because he was difficult to communicate with when I rang him. He was torn between giving Y News (our station) his picks when he would give them to The Edge. He had torn loyalty and after trying to get something worthy of going onto the air, he ended up hanging up. I rang back but the only thing I could hear was him listening to Radio Sport. Because I was desperate for an interview worthy of assessment, I got my mate who worked at Countdown supermarket to come and talk about shopping trolleys being stolen. It was desperate times.

It was good to hear your voice again Steven from Dunedin on the radio, even though Doug Golightly did his trusty fake helicopter sound effect which initially confused Steven the first time and he dropped the phone and ran outside thinking there was a helicopter outside his house. While Steven from Dunedin leaves himself open to mockery, at least he is keen and is a committed sports volunteer.

Watch Free Live Streaming UEFA Champions League Draw Round Two

Watch Free Live Streaming UEFA Champions League Draw Round Two.



http://www8.livetv.ru/webplayer2.php?t=megom&c=jrebii&lang=en

Kiwi V8 Supercars Driver Jason Richards Dies Of Cancer

New Zealand V8 Supercar driver Jason Richards has died of cancer. I knew he had been battling it for a while, but I didn't realise it was terminal. I saw him on television and he seemed like a nice guy. This news shocked me given how young Richards was.

New Zealand V8 Supercar driver Jason Richards has died after a 14-month battle with cancer.

He was 35.

V8 Supercar officials and Holden confirmed Richards died on Thursday night at his home in Melbourne.

He had been fighting a rare and aggressive form of cancer called adrenocortical carcinoma.

Richards was a three-time Bathurst 1000 runner-up, and won three New Zealand touring car championships prior to moving into the Australian V8 series in 2001.

He drove successfully for a variety of Holden teams in the V8 series - most recently Brad Jones Racing.

Richards is survived by his wife Charlotte and children Sienna and Olivia.

"Jason's family is appreciative of the many thousands of people who have offered their love and support during his battle with illness over the past 14 months,'' Richards' family said in a statement issued on Friday.

V8 Supercars said a memorial service to honour Richards and his career would be held at Sandown Raceway in Melbourne in the next few weeks.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/motorsport/6152694/Richards-loses-cancer-fight

Five Rules For Dating Journalists

Here are five rules for dating journalists. I guess it depends what kind of publication or media the journalist involved works in, but lets just say that not all journalists are like this!

So, you’ve been eyeing that smart, attractive journalist you’re lucky enough to know personally. You’re intrigued. Your journalist is smart, funny, confident. Visions of Clark Kent taking off the glasses and ripping off his clothes to reveal a perfectly toned body in blue spandex coming to save you run through your head.

Who can blame you? Journalism is a sexy occupation.

But journalists aren’t like the bimbos you usually pick up at the bar. Nor are they the assholes you ladies continually fall for. No, journalists are different beings (which is why you’re attracted to them in the first place), and you should realize — before jumping in — that this isn’t going to be a run-of-the-mill, boring, lame relationship you’re used to.

Here’s what you need to know:

1We can figure things out. Understand, we’re paid to dig deep, find the secrets and wade through bullshit. We can pick up on subtleties, so what you think you are hiding from us won’t be hidden for long. Sure, we’ll act surprised when you eventually tell us you starred in German porn as a freshman in college — but we already knew.

We don’t take shit from anyone, so don’t lie to us or give a load of bullshit. We spend all day separating fact from fiction, listening to PR cronies and dealing with slimy politicians. If you make us do the same with you, you’re just gonna piss us off. And don’t think we’ll be quiet about it. We’ll respond with the vengeance of an Op-Ed page railing against society’s injustices — and we’ll enjoy doing it.

Just tell us the truth. We can handle it.

2At some point, you will be a topic. Either through a feature story or an opinion column, something you do or say will be a subject. Get over it. Consider it a compliment, even if we’re arguing against you in print.

Think about it: we live our lives writing about life. If you’re a part of our life, we’re going to write about you, your thoughts or a subject springing from one of the two.

Don’t be upset when an argument against your adoration of Hillary Clinton turns up on page A4. We’re not directing the writing at you, personally — your ignorance was just our inspiration (there, doesn’t that make you feel better?).

3Yes, we think we’re smarter than you. In fact, we know it. Does that smack of ego? Absolutely — but that confidence is what makes your heart go pitter-patter.

We have a strong, working knowledge of how the world works. That makes us great in conversation. We can delve into the intricacies of zoning laws, local and national politics, where to find the good restaurants, what’s happening with pop culture, where the good bands are playing and more.

But there are pitfalls.

Guaranteed, when you say “towards,” we will automatically say “toward” — “towards” is not a word. We’re not trying to call you dumb (even though you don’t understand the English language), it’s habit. The same will happen when you say “anxious” when you mean “eager” and when you answer “good” when someone asks how you are doing.

We carry ourselves with a certain arrogant air. Embrace it (that’s what attracted you to us in the first place, after all). Don’t be surprised if we’re not impressed when you say, “I’m a writer, too.” No, you are not. The fact that you sit in a coffee shop wearing black while scribbling in your journal does not make you a writer. Nor does the fact that you “wrote some poems in high school” or that one day you want to pen “the great American novel.”

Look, we’re paid to write. Every day. What’s more, our writing matters. It changes opinions, affects decisions and connects people with the world around them.

We’re not spewing our angst or trying to fabricate an aura of creativity. We write about the real world — with real consequences.

Our words go through three or four cranky editors who make us rewrite before it’s printed a few hundred thousand times and distributed all over town. You don’t do that unless you’re confident, even egotistical.

You may have some great journal entries, poems and rudimentary short stories — good for you. Just don’t assume we’ll accept that as on par with what we do (unless you’re really hot, then hell, you’re a better writer than I).

4You’re not less important than the job — the job is just more important than anything else. One doesn’t become a journalist to sit in an office from 9 to 5 Monday through Friday.

We do take our work home. If news is happening, we’ll drop whatever we’re doing — even if it’s with you — to cover it. We’re always looking for stories, so yes, we’ll stop on the street to write something down, interview a passer-by or gather information for a lead.

On that same note, don’t get upset if you call us on deadline suggesting some afternoon nookie and we say, “I’ve got to put the paper to bed first.” That could mean hours from now, but we’ll have plenty of time to put you in bed later.

5You won’t be disappointed. Journalists are intense, driven, passionate folk. We carry those same attributes into our relationships, making it an extremely fun ride well worth the price of admission. Our lives are never boring and each day is different.

If the pitfalls are scaring you away, consider this:

The fact that we’re inquisitive means we’ll listen to you. Even if it does seem like an interview, we’re paying attention to what you have to say (see rule No. 1).

We’ll write about you or your thoughts because you’re an important part of our life and we care about you (see rule No. 2).

Our brains are a great resource. Ever go on a date with an attractive person and wind up wishing you hadn’t because everything they say is just, well, stupid? That’s not going to happen here (see rule No. 3).

Yes, it may seem that we put the job ahead of you, but we’re driven. You’re not with that loser whose life is going nowhere and who’s completely content being mediocre (see rule No. 4).

There you go, five things you should know before dating a journalist. Feel free to add to the list, point out where I’ve missed something or leave a comment. And yes, ladies, I’m single (see rule No. 5).

http://www.rockmycar.net/2007/05/10/5-things-you-should-know-before-dating-a-journalist/

Advent Conspiracy Enter The Story 2011 - Something To Think About At Christmas Time

Here is an interesting video which suggests that we should instead of spending $4.5 billion a year on presents we should make our gifts and giveaway our money to those less fortunate than ourselves, especially to pay for clean water in poor countries. What do you think of this idea? Is this an attempt to make us sign up to pay money to charities who will pass on some of it, but then give the rest to helping those less fortunate than ourselves? It is always difficult to know how much of it actually goes to the cause it is intended for once charities take their cut. You can give animals or resources through various organisations to people in poor countries so that they can then survive going forward, this is a good option for Christmas presents depending on how your family will react!

This video is food for thought, but do you think consumerism can not make us happy or give us memories? So much of the exciting memories of Christmas for me have been based around presents on Christmas day. The problem with giving handmade gifts once you are over ten years old is that it is the recipient of your gift who it really affects. You almost need your entire family to make the conscious effort really.

Another problem is breaking the traditions of Christmas in our own countries. Each year Christmas gets more commercial, although I have noticed in our family we have cut back spending on Christmas as Santa and Mrs Claus are getting older and struggling to keep up with the family. We are used to over-indulging annually and because we have done it so much, it is more difficult to break the cycle.

Is giving this money to poor people around Wellington going to develop relationships with those in your community? I would say that giving hampers or food could be a better way rather than giving money to people who may then spend it on gambling, drinking or smoking. When the wise men came with gifts of gold and frankensence and myrrh is this different to the way we give gifts or was it giving to the poor even back then?

www.adventconspiracy.org

KLM To Offer Blind Dating On Flights - Great Idea or Problematic?

Dutch airline KLM is going to allow people to view other passengers' Facebook and Linkedin profiles before selecting their seats on a flight in an odd blind dating type scenario. This will mean seats will have to be pre selected rather than allocated at the airport, I assume, but here are some potential pitfalls of this scheme.

1) What happens if only one person uses the service and gets no choice in the person they sit with? I assume both parties would have to sign up to this service otherwise it could get awkward and what happens if you draw a dud? This could easily mean that you have one keen person trying to chat you up on a flight without being able to escape. This is a problem on long haul flights! I wonder if speed dating would have been better, that way it is all over in two and a half minutes! You should be able to push the service button to escape.

2) Do people actually want to hook up on flights? I often just want to zone out on a flight (especially long haul) and often you can feel a bit crusty, are wearing a sleeping mask, compression socks or something dorky and are not really up for meeting that girl with the hot profile picture on Facebook.

3) I assume you would only be able to see the basic contact information on Facebook or Linkedin otherwise it is a haven for Facebook stalkers who will know too much about your life.

4) How many single elligible people are on flights anyway? It is often families, married couples or people who aren't elligible.

5) If the couple in the photo above are hitting it off, why do they have those dorky ear phones?

6) I guess you wouldn't have to use it strictly for hooking up. You could avoid that fat guy, or someone who looks annoying or loud. You could choose someone small to sit beside in order to maximise the space available or sit next to an interesting person who could be fun to chat to.

7) Would this just be encouraging random hook ups, swingers and people to commit lewd acts in the bathroom on flights? The mile high club?

8) Can you also choose your airline host or hostess?

I must admit it would be quite a fun way of selecting where you sit.

These are some of the interesting factors that must be taken into consideration.

Forward-thinking Dutch Airline KLM has come up with a new way to keep its passengers happy, and possibly be responsible for some match-making at the same time.
The airline is planning to introduce a new 'meet and greet' initiative next year that will allow people to view other passengers' Facebook and Linkedin profiles when choosing their seats.

The service will allow passengers to choose their seat mate by everything their profile shows; their profession, age, interests and last but certainly not least, their looks.

For some, this may solve the simple problem of being seated next to passengers they think will be annoying or distasteful, but for others this opens up an opportunity for a new-age kind of blind date.

And it far exceeds Malaysia Airlines' proposed plans to allow passengers to see whether their "friends" will be on the same flight as them.

http://nz.totaltravel.yahoo.com/a/-/12355674/a-blind-date-at-35-000-feet/

St Matthew in the City Church Virgin Mary Billboard - Thought Provoking or Offensive?

The latest billboard from Auckland's St Matthew in the City Church (pictured above) is thought provoking in this day and age featuring Mary a shocked looking Mary looking at a pregnancy test. These guys create controversy every year with their billboard. This could be seen as offensive by some, but I think it shows just how humble Mary was and is probably an attempt to appear relevant to today's society, especially those who have been in a similar boat. It also suggests that this happened to an everyday person like many people who will see the billboard. Anyway, if it gets people talking about the birth of Christ it can't be a bad thing can it?

A controversial Anglican church that upset some Christians with a risque billboard of Jesus' mother looking dejected after unsatisfying sex with Joseph has rolled out another provocative publicity stunt.

Auckland's St Matthew-in-the-City Church has unveiled its latest Christmas message, but far from the traditional religious tidings seen at this time of year, the progressive church has opted to depict a contemplative Virgin Mary holding a positive pregnancy test.

Vicar Glynn Cardy says this year the church wanted to capture what life was like for a real woman - young, poor and unmarried - discovering she is pregnant.

"Although the make-believe of Christmas is enjoyable - with tinsel, Santa, reindeer, and carols - there are also some realities," he said.

"Many in our society are suffering: some through the lack of money, some through poor health, some through violence, and some through other hardships.

"The joy of Christmas is muted by anxiety."

The billboard is left captionless in the hope it might provoke thought.

"We invite you to wonder what your caption might be," Mr Cardy said.

Fans on the church's Facebook page have already started offering up their suggestions, from "Who's your daddy?" through to "Now to get that council flat".

Most popular though was "Nek Minnit!", a phrase meaning "next minute" that entered the Kiwi vernacular through an Auckland street skater's YouTube video.

The campaign seems well supported, with reams of supportive comments on websites across New Zealand, the United States and Britain, unlike St Matthew's 2009 contribution, which raised the ire of many.

That promotion depicted a fresco-styled Mary and Joseph in bed with the tag line: "Poor Joseph, God was a hard act to follow".

At the time Mr Cardy claimed it was a cutting-edge strategy to engage non-believers but the city's Catholic diocese was not impressed with the "disrespectful" and "offensive" sexual theme.

The billboard was repeatedly vandalised and then removed after a woman, dubbed a "Christian fanatic" by the church, took to it with a knife.

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/12356020/church-causes-stir-with-virgin-mary-ad/

Swiss Man Wins $55 million At Austrian Casino But Is Only Given $90 and Free Meal

A Swiss man won a $55 NZ million jackpot on a machine at an Austrian casino, but the casino is claiming it was caused by a software error and are only willing to give him $90 NZ and a free meal instead. He is pursuing legal action. Surely they have to payout the full amount legally. He did the smart thing by getting video evidence. What do you think?

If it looks too good to be true, it probably is – a man has found this out the hard way after his massive winnings at a casino were found to be the result of a software glitch.

Swiss gambler Behar Merlaku was overjoyed when the slot machine at an Austrian casino alerted him to the payout of more than $55 million.

However his excitement soon turned into disappointment when the casino bosses blamed the winning alerts on a software glitch and refused to pay him the jackpot, The Daily Mail has reported.

Instead, they offered him about $90 and a free meal, which he declined. Following his refusal, he was banned from the casino.

"The jackpot came up loud and clear. There was music and the sum I had won - nearly 43 million euros ($55 million) - was displayed on a screen. I was so overjoyed and in my head I began calculating what I could do with all this money," Merlaku told The Daily Mail.

Now the disgruntled 26-year-old will file a lawsuit in Austria to force the casino into paying him the ‘win’.

His lawyers argue Merlaku is entitled to the money as it showed on the machines. He even used his mobile phone to film the footage of the winning noise and screen.

The lawyers for the casino have blamed the machine manufacturers and also cited an Austrian law that says jackpots cannot normally be higher than $2.5 million.

The civil action is being thought to be the biggest claim of its kind anywhere in the world and is being keenly watched by gamblers.

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/world/12335868/man-hits-55-million-jackpot-offered-90-and-a-meal/

Australia vs New Zealand Blackcaps : Cricket Australia Reviews Man of the Match Voting System Following Defeat

Cricket Australia has backed down over its public voting system which saw Australian opener David Warner awarded the man of the match award in the second test against the Blackcaps in Hobart. It seems that many people in New Zealand thought chief destroyer Doug Bracewell should have got it with his match defining six wicket haul in the second innings. I think the system was flawed because it relied on the Australian public to vote on a worthy man of the match by paying to vote during the match. The stupid thing is that they are patriotic and so would hardly have picked a New Zealander, the result looked to be going Australia's way and votes were probably cast when Australia were on top. This does stop the Australians making money off the system though. Is this a concession that Australia is wrong or do they simply want to avoid a similar situation when they lose to India in the upcoming series? I am pleased with this decision because although Warner should definitely have been in contention, the system was obviously flawed and favoured Australian players.

Cricket Australia has abandoned its public voting system for the man-of-the-match award following the outcry over New Zealand's Doug Bracewell being overlooked despite bowling his team to victory in Hobart.

CA chief executive James Sutherland said it would revert to an expert's choice for the test series against India and beyond.

"We were always running a bit of a trial for these two tests with those man of the match awards but we will definitely revert back to an expert's choice for that decision about man of the match," Sutherland told Radio 3AW.

"We will still run what the fans think, it has worked really well with the (viewers' choice) application and the television. I think it's something really ahead of its time and I'm sure we'll see it in other sports as well in the future."

Bracewell took 6-40 in the second innings at Bellerive Oval and claimed a match haul of 9-60, yet did not get close to young Australian opener David Warner, who made an unbeaten 123 in Australia's failed chase.

The Black Caps criticised the award for the first time today, with assistant coach Trent Woodhill saying the decision was bizarre.

"It's embarrassing. David Warner had a fantastic innings. He batted all the way through the innings," he told NewstalkZB.

"(But) Doug Bracewell was the player of that match. He took nine wickets for 60, if it wasn't for him we wouldn't have won the match. To me that's who the player of the match should be."

Meanwhile, Sutherland took a none-too-subtle dig at lack of appeal of the Black Caps in the eyes of the Australian public when he defended Hobart's poor crowds of about 6000 per day during the test.

"The weather wasn't that flash down there and Hobart do tend to get test matches that aren't as attractive.

"They never get an Ashes test down there and they haven't had an Indian Test match, they do often get New Zealand down there so it (the crowd) wasn't that good," he said.

"On a per capita basis Hobart actually punches above its weight in terms of attracting a crowd but I understand the backdrop wasn't exactly how we would like to see it for this Test match just gone."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/6138098/Man-of-match-vote-ditched-by-Cricket-Australia

Facebook Scammers Using Christmas Shopping Vouchers - Be Warned!

If you have been on Facebook recently you would have noticed your friends supposedly getting free shopping vouchers from Westfields, JB Hi - Fi or Dick Smith Electronics. It ends up that these are scams so don't click on them!

Facebook scammers are offering vouchers for well-known brands to trick people into handing over personal details.

Westfield Shopping Centres and electronics store JB Hi-Fi have been targeted by the international scam which exploits its victims with claims of a free voucher giveaway - but the promise is false.

JB Hi-Fi contacted Facebook but was told there was nothing the social networking site could do to stop the scammers.

The JB Hi- Fi scam reads "Happy Christmas! Free $200 Jb Hi Fi Voucher!" while the Westfield scam title says: "Merry Christmas! FREE $150 Westfield Holiday Voucher!".

Both have the description: "In true holiday spirit, we have decided to give away 2000 vouchers to some of our loyal fans!". It includes a thumbnail image of the brands' logos and sends the person to a fraudulent website.

The victim is told to share the link with all of their Facebook friends. Once this has been done, the webpage tells the person they have won a voucher.

To claim the voucher, the victim is asked to complete an online survey - but the victim is never given the prize.

The scammers' goal is to drive more traffic towards certain websites with the online surveys because they are awarded a commission for every one completed, every product purchased, or every account compromised.

The scam is also used to spread malware and obtain personal information.

JB Hi-Fi chief executive Terry Smart said it was "very disappointing" their brand was being used to trick people. "It just seems what the scammers do is look for reputable retailers to use as bait for their scam."

Mr Smart told the Herald his company had traced the scammers to a travel company in the Bahamas but couldn't do anything to stop them.

"It's the internet and it's very hard ... if not impossible, to stop these events happening," he said.

A small number of angry people had contacted JB Hi-Fi after being conned by the scam.

"We're not the first company to have this happen to and I'm sure we won't be the last ... all we can do is keep advising people that this is a scam and hopefully that message gets through."

A Westfield spokeswoman said they became aware of the scam late yesterday and were investigating its origin.

Makeup brands MAC, Maybelline and Estee Lauder have also been recently exploited by free-voucher scammers.

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs' Scamwatch service said it was aware of several Facebook scams circulating.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10773084

Police Arrest Two Teenagers Following Wellington Journalist's Death

Police have arrested two teenagers following the death of Radio New Zealand journalist Phillip Cottrell, although these two haven't been named, yet another teenager Nicho Allan Waipuka was being sought after by Police which leaves you thinking thinking that he either had nothing to do with it or that he knew the other two guys. Otherwise it seems funny they would name him but not the two accused. If he did help Police, I hope he isn't going to be in trouble with others criminals for talking to Police. It is crazy that this would happen in Wellington.

Two teenagers have been arrested and charged with murdering Radio New Zealand journalist Phillip Cottrell after he was fatally assaulted in Wellington's CBD.

Mr Cottrell, 43, was attacked on Boulcott Street early on Saturday morning as he walked home from work.

He died in hospital the next day.

Police did not name the pair but said they were aged 19 and 17.

They had earlier appealed for help finding 19-year-old Nicho Allan Waipuka, saying he was believed to have been in Boulcott Street about 5.30am on Saturday.

He was found at a Lower Hutt address on Wednesday morning, after police executed search warrants at two other Wellington properties on Tuesday.

Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Miller says both men were believed to have spoken to associates about the assault, and police were appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

He said extensive inquiries had been carried out over the past few days but investigators still need the public's help.

They were appealing for a man and a woman, and a Wellington Combined Taxis driver, who were captured on CCTV footage between 5.20am and 5.45am on Saturday to contact police.

"Any information, no matter how small, will greatly assist us," Det Sen Sgt Miller says.

The two men will appear in Wellington District Court on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, police said a post-mortem examination showed Mr Cottrell's injuries were consistent with "blunt impact trauma" and he had suffered multiple fractures to his head, neck and left arm, including extensive brain injuries.

It's still not known if a weapon was involved.

Mr Cottrell was found unconscious in the street about 5.40am by a taxi driver, 10 minutes after leaving his workplace on The Terrace on foot.

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/12344552

Christians in Sport - Tim Tebow - Does God Take Sides or Improve Performance?

Denver Broncos quarterback and outspoken devout Christian Tim Tebow has polarised fans with his constant giving credit to God in sports. Does God take sides? If this was the case, would teams with the most Christians win? Or is it more holistic and for the greater good, that is why South Africa won the Rugby World Cup 1995 post-apartheid as the Rainbow Nation and New Zealand won in 2011 following the Christchurch earthquakes?

It has been great the way Tim Tebow got 92 million people searching for John 3:16 following the writing on his black eye paint. I do admire the way he is using his very public profile to share his faith, but not everyone seems to appreciate his laying it on for the media.

How has a very physically limited Tim Tebow done so well? Is it a God thing or is it just the chemistry between himself and his team mates and the combination of players the Denver Broncos have?

Why do bad things happen to good people then?

All Blacks legend Michael Jones had some chronic knee injuries during his career.

Does God protect Christians from injuries even if we pray that during games or is it his will? If a Christian top level athlete gets injured, but converts 50 people in the hospital then it can't be a bad thing is it? Then why do so many Christian teams pray for safety and no injuries before they play?

I think the video above sums it up. Having God in your corner gives you the confidence to be able to go out there and play the game knowing that you have been given the talents and opportunities by God and so you should go out there and make the most of them. I take that to my career too. It isn't just for professionals.

I don't believe in praying for victories as I believe that God's will will be done, but I believe in playing to the best of my ability and using the skills and opportunities that God has blessed me with. But there is always that fine line between playing hard and cheating. Some Christians let the opposition walk all over them and this to me reflects badly on Christians as cowardly and pushovers. You get respect if you play hard but don't cross the line to the world of cheating and underhand tactics. There is a fine line though between being a poor loser and trying to use psychology to overcome an opponent by saying or doing something sneaky.

Does God take sides in sport? How should Christians behave in their sport?

Austin Powers The Broadway Musical?

Austin Powers, the film series made famous by Mike Myers is set to become a Broadway stage musical. This would definitely get more guys along!

Mike Myers, the writer and star of the Austin Powers film franchise is in talks to adapt the spy satire into a Broadway stage musical.

Myers will not appear in the show, though he will return to the screen as Austin (and Dr Evil), having already agreed to write and star in a fourth Powers film.

"The deal is in place, and Mike is currently writing the new Austin Powers film," a source told the New York Post. "But no date has yet been set to start filming. It is not yet clear if this will be a 2013 or 2014 release."

On the topic of the musical, the Post quotes a separate source "close to Myers" as saying "Mike is in talks to turn Austin Powers into a musical stage show. Mike would be heavily involved in writing the show, but he will not star in it, even though he has quite a good singing voice."

The first three Austin Powers movies - Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, The Spy Who Shagged Me and Goldmember - took in US$676 million (NZ$886 million) at the box office alone.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/6132746/Austin-Powers-goes-Broadway

Did Hulk Hogan Have A Homosexual Love Affair With Brutus The Barber Beefcake?

The Mega Maniacs were they more than just a tag team?


Were the Mega Maniacs Hulk Hogan and Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake having an affair?
Here they are in a steel cage fight against the late Macho Man Randy Savage and Zeus.

Here is some news for lovers of WWF Wrestling in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Did Hulk Hogan have a homosexual love affair with his tag-team partner Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake or is his ex-wife simply trying to get money out of him by slinging mud at his good name?

In the WWF world there were plenty of toned men with fake bronzed skin wearing skimpy tights or shorts, wrestling each other. It would hardly be surprising, but since Hulk Hogan was a hero of mine growing up, I would hope that he kept the tag-team partnership to strictly business and friends.

It does remind me of the 1980s rumour mill which saw Raving Rick Rude die in a car accident, but lets just say that WWF wrestling has always had a seedy underworld.

Hulk Hogan is suing his ex-wife for defamation, saying her claims that he had an affair with fellow wrestler Brutus Beefcake are "ridiculous" and "insane".

Hogan, whose real name is Terrance Gene Bollea, filed the lawsuit against his ex-wife Linda Bollea in Florida last week over claims she made in her book Wrestling the Hulk: My Life Against the Ropes, or while promoting it, that he was violent and had affairs with men.

She claimed he had an affair with wrestler Edward Leslie, known in the ring as Brutus Beefcake, The Booty Man and Dizzy Hogan, who began his career with Hulk Hogan and was often billed as his brother.

Hogan told Us Weekly he was baffled by the claims.

"After the four-year crazy divorce I thought I'd heard everything I could hear in the courtroom," he said.

"Then, all of a sudden she says I abused her, that I was violent. She told everybody that I was a homosexual.

"If any of that was true, I would admit it, and [if] I was a homosexual I would embrace it.

"It's just so crazy to hear, so I have a real problem with it.

"If you're going to say I'm something that I'm not to try to ruin my career and my livelihood ... I have to answer her back.

"It's so ridiculous. I don't mean to laugh about it, because it's not funny. But it's insane. It doesn't make any sense to me."

The 18-page lawsuit claimed Ms Bollea wrote the book to help revive her career.

Hulk Hogan said the claims harmed his reputation and was demanding a jury trial and a halt to his ex-wife's comments.

The couple have two children, 23-year-old Brooke and 21-year-old Nick, and the family was the focus of reality show Hogan Knows Best.

Their 2007 divorce was public and notoriously acrimonious, with Ms Bollea doing several media interviews detailing her allegations of domestic violence, which Hogan refuted.

According to Florida's St Petersburg Times she received more than 70 per cent of the couple's assets in their recent divorce settlement.

She also got 40 per cent ownership of his various companies, kept a Mercedes-Benz, a Cadillac Escalade, a Corvette, a Rolls-Royce.

Hulk Hogan has since remarried.

-smh.com.au with AP

http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/celebrities/6131222/Hogan-sues-ex-wife-over-gay-claims

Cake Goes Horribly Wrong With House Gas Explosion

This is a sad story about how a woman turned a gas cooker on to start baking a cake and there was a massive gas explosion in Hawkes Bay. The entire flat is ruined.

A tiny northern Hawke's Bay unit was blown apart when a woman flicked on a gas oven to bake a cake.

Tia Ropitini, 39, was preparing morning tea in her mother's granny flat in Nuhaka, about 32km east of Wairoa, on Saturday when the gas cooker exploded, sending plumes of black smoke into the air.

Ms Ropitini suffered severe burns and the flat was destroyed in the explosion, heard by just about everyone awake at 6.30am in the small settlement.

"It was a heck of a bang - it shook the houses around here," Nuhaka chief fire officer Robert Wesche told the New Zealand Herald.

"Bits and pieces and glass were strewn 100m away. There must have been a fair bit of gas to make a bang like that."

Mr Wesche, who had been about to make himself a cup of tea, raced to the station down the road and assembled a crew to fight the flames.

Luckily, volunteer firefighter Ian Barber was right next door at the time and was able to coax Ms Ropitini out of the flat and get her into the shower immediately to soothe her burns.

"If Ian hadn't got there she would have been buggered," Mr Wesche said.

"He probably saved her life."

Ms Ropitini was flown to Hawke's Bay Hospital and later transferred to Auckland's Middlemore Hospital where she remains in a serious but stable condition in the intensive care unit.

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/12331388/cake-bake-goes-horribly-wrong/