Kasey Chambers has always enjoyed having a bit of a wail in her songs.
Generally I didn't mind -- up until the point a few years back where she lost a karaoke competition singing Cindi Lauper's True Colors.
Kasey's rendition is just one long wail. (So is Cindi's for that matter, but it's her song). And Kasey's hurt pride for losing a karaoke comp to an amateur made her decide she would sing it as often as possible. Over. and Over. Again. (There's a reason why you lost that karaoke comp Kasey!) Ever since, when Kasey's playin' I ain't stayin'.
However, I have to say I really enjoyed Kasey and her husband Shane Nicholson on the first episode of the new series of Rockwiz last night (the show's first Wife/Husband act), and I even liked their cover of Kylie's "Can't get you out of my head".
All is forgiven.
Sunday, 31 August 2008
Ellis Park
That Wallabies vs Springboks game was a painful lesson. The only consolation is that we are still alive to win the Tri-Nations, but this was an amateur performance in a professional game.
Our defense was disgusting; it hasn't been as convincing ever since we switched from Muggleton's solid scheme, but this is the first game where it has been sliced and diced. (The terrible thing about this: it's directly attributable to Robbie's coaching and the attitude of the players.)
For the 3N decider, for the starting XV I think I would pick:
Robinson Moore Baxter Horwill Mumm Elsom Smith Palu Cordingley Giteau Tuqiri Cross Mortlock Ashley Cooper Mitchell
The key selection for the front row is that Moore must be the hooker. Polota-Nau's throwing has been a major "feature" in our losses under Robbie thus far, and he needs to get it fixed as quickly as possible.
We really need Vickerman as one of our Locks, but while he is injured I think I'd take Horwill and Mumm. I think I like McMeniman as depth at blindside flanker rather than Lock. Sharpe looks like he's on the outer with Robbie, not even making the bench for the Ellis Park game!
At the back row, one thing I would take out of the last few games is that Waugh is no longer neck-and-neck with George Smith any more. Smith is clearly the man. I also worry that there is a lack of players challenging Palu for the 8 role; Richard Brown from the Force might be worth consideration.
I actually thought Cordingley provided quick service, so I'd leave him at halfback. We were very obviously exposed with Tahu at Inside Center a number of times (just not enough experience in Rugby let alone the defensive scheme), and if Barnes is out then we need Cross playing there.
In our back 3, Hynes has had very little impact (if not making very notable mistakes) since the first couple of tests, and I think it's time for him to ride the pine. I would move Ashley Cooper from FB to Hynes' wing, and I would start Mitchell at FB. But one thing's for sure: we are really struggling for talent at FB.
It's too bad Hewat didn't stick around for another year -- not only would he have possibly helped the Tahs win the S14, but it's very possible he would have finally got a Wallaby jersey by now.
Our defense was disgusting; it hasn't been as convincing ever since we switched from Muggleton's solid scheme, but this is the first game where it has been sliced and diced. (The terrible thing about this: it's directly attributable to Robbie's coaching and the attitude of the players.)
For the 3N decider, for the starting XV I think I would pick:
Robinson Moore Baxter Horwill Mumm Elsom Smith Palu Cordingley Giteau Tuqiri Cross Mortlock Ashley Cooper Mitchell
The key selection for the front row is that Moore must be the hooker. Polota-Nau's throwing has been a major "feature" in our losses under Robbie thus far, and he needs to get it fixed as quickly as possible.
We really need Vickerman as one of our Locks, but while he is injured I think I'd take Horwill and Mumm. I think I like McMeniman as depth at blindside flanker rather than Lock. Sharpe looks like he's on the outer with Robbie, not even making the bench for the Ellis Park game!
At the back row, one thing I would take out of the last few games is that Waugh is no longer neck-and-neck with George Smith any more. Smith is clearly the man. I also worry that there is a lack of players challenging Palu for the 8 role; Richard Brown from the Force might be worth consideration.
I actually thought Cordingley provided quick service, so I'd leave him at halfback. We were very obviously exposed with Tahu at Inside Center a number of times (just not enough experience in Rugby let alone the defensive scheme), and if Barnes is out then we need Cross playing there.
In our back 3, Hynes has had very little impact (if not making very notable mistakes) since the first couple of tests, and I think it's time for him to ride the pine. I would move Ashley Cooper from FB to Hynes' wing, and I would start Mitchell at FB. But one thing's for sure: we are really struggling for talent at FB.
It's too bad Hewat didn't stick around for another year -- not only would he have possibly helped the Tahs win the S14, but it's very possible he would have finally got a Wallaby jersey by now.
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
Greek Cuisine
I am please to report I have survived eating one metric ton of Greek food on Saturday night. While the process was enjoyable, the recovery was painful.
If I had my time over, I'd do it again!
If I had my time over, I'd do it again!
Green Wing...
...appeals to my sense of humour.
I do assume most of it is written vs ad-libbed (you can see a sketch show structure behind it's "soapy" exterior), but I imagine they must lose a stack of money with the actors trying to make each other laugh during the takes (particularly Michelle Gomez's character).
BTW Adam, it was a bit of a stretch to mention this in relation to Garth Marrenghi's Dark Place :)
I do assume most of it is written vs ad-libbed (you can see a sketch show structure behind it's "soapy" exterior), but I imagine they must lose a stack of money with the actors trying to make each other laugh during the takes (particularly Michelle Gomez's character).
BTW Adam, it was a bit of a stretch to mention this in relation to Garth Marrenghi's Dark Place :)
Sunday, 17 August 2008
Medal Count
Wake up USA. You are the only country that cares about the aggregate medal count OVER the gold medal count.
(I know that's a bit "out of nowhere" for my Aussie readers, but due to the sheer amount of American sports content I absorb I can't help having a chuckle/reaction to the "American" version of the medal tally).
While Australians take a lot of pride for punching above their own weight, how good is South Korea?!
As good as the Michael Phelps story is, the swimmer I've really been impressed with in this Olympics is Kirsty Coventry (1 gold and 3 silvers). I could understand why she could swim like a fish if she was from the Western Cape of South Africa, but Zimbabwe is a land locked country!
And while staying on the "random sport" theme, even though I a.) don't like golf, b.) am a casual observer of basketball at best, and c.) hate reality shows, Charles Barkley's golf swing is so fascinatingly bad (think: car crash) that I think "yes, I would watch a reality show about trying to correct Charles Barkley's golf swing!" :)
(I know that's a bit "out of nowhere" for my Aussie readers, but due to the sheer amount of American sports content I absorb I can't help having a chuckle/reaction to the "American" version of the medal tally).
While Australians take a lot of pride for punching above their own weight, how good is South Korea?!
As good as the Michael Phelps story is, the swimmer I've really been impressed with in this Olympics is Kirsty Coventry (1 gold and 3 silvers). I could understand why she could swim like a fish if she was from the Western Cape of South Africa, but Zimbabwe is a land locked country!
And while staying on the "random sport" theme, even though I a.) don't like golf, b.) am a casual observer of basketball at best, and c.) hate reality shows, Charles Barkley's golf swing is so fascinatingly bad (think: car crash) that I think "yes, I would watch a reality show about trying to correct Charles Barkley's golf swing!" :)
Galactica
I am just now starting season 3 of Battlestar Galactica, and am really enjoying.
"Only up to Season 3?" I hear you say? I was just so uncaptivated when I watched the Pilot a few years ago that I really just could not be bothered. In a way this has been good for my mental state, because if I had been watching this week-to-week I could see myself going nuts waiting for the next installment.
It is certainly very different to the original series -- it does not have the same visceral Space Opera that was characteristic of the original series with both the music and the space combat scenes being much more understated.
In fact, the style and the story are so different that rather than reimagining the original story, they could have very easily not used the original characters and rather just set it 50 years later in the same universe. (But then again, after BSG 1980, maybe reimagining had to happen :) ).
Overall, the new stories have fantastic penmanship. The constant mind games could become tedious with weaker writing, but instead the plot becomes even more gripping. I have never read the graphic novels, but when I watch the show I can very easily imagine the story boarding -- for example, the Baltar/6 interactions. (As a general comment, the TV and film industry have become quite magnificent in graphic novel adaptions!)
Final word: Most significant sci-fi series in the last decade, very much due to the quality of the writing; I think it trumps Bab-5 and the newly released Dr Who (both of which I have enjoyed immensely).
"Only up to Season 3?" I hear you say? I was just so uncaptivated when I watched the Pilot a few years ago that I really just could not be bothered. In a way this has been good for my mental state, because if I had been watching this week-to-week I could see myself going nuts waiting for the next installment.
It is certainly very different to the original series -- it does not have the same visceral Space Opera that was characteristic of the original series with both the music and the space combat scenes being much more understated.
In fact, the style and the story are so different that rather than reimagining the original story, they could have very easily not used the original characters and rather just set it 50 years later in the same universe. (But then again, after BSG 1980, maybe reimagining had to happen :) ).
Overall, the new stories have fantastic penmanship. The constant mind games could become tedious with weaker writing, but instead the plot becomes even more gripping. I have never read the graphic novels, but when I watch the show I can very easily imagine the story boarding -- for example, the Baltar/6 interactions. (As a general comment, the TV and film industry have become quite magnificent in graphic novel adaptions!)
Final word: Most significant sci-fi series in the last decade, very much due to the quality of the writing; I think it trumps Bab-5 and the newly released Dr Who (both of which I have enjoyed immensely).
Newlands Quikkie
Both the AB's and the Boks played quite a physical game, but reviewing the film will show a lot of horrid mistakes. That said, reviewing game film will be a lot easier for the AB's, as getting any win (let alone a shutout) as a visitor to the Republic is a very major achievement.
If this game was to be remembered (which it won't), it will be based on the question of the kicking. When was the last time you saw i.) Dan Carter miss 5/5 penalties, have ii.) 2/2 drop goals charged down, and also iii.) see Percy miss 2/2 on penalties.
Another thought: Brad Thorn must be right on the cusp of being dropped. He's committed a major foul in almost every game of the Tri-Nations so far which ultimately puts his team at risk when getting reduced to 14 men, and he was incredibly lucky in this game not to get a yellow for taking out Du Preez as he chased his own kick.
Graham Henry will have relieved considerable pressure, but for Pete De Villiers the nightmare has just begun. Not only did the Bokke get shutout at home, but he selected a team which was viewed poorly by the South African politicians due to "transformation". I cannot see De Villiers making it through all the way to the next Rugby World Cup; he's just not as elusive as Jake White was.
As I've said before, I think Springbok Coach is the hardest position in world sport.
If this game was to be remembered (which it won't), it will be based on the question of the kicking. When was the last time you saw i.) Dan Carter miss 5/5 penalties, have ii.) 2/2 drop goals charged down, and also iii.) see Percy miss 2/2 on penalties.
Another thought: Brad Thorn must be right on the cusp of being dropped. He's committed a major foul in almost every game of the Tri-Nations so far which ultimately puts his team at risk when getting reduced to 14 men, and he was incredibly lucky in this game not to get a yellow for taking out Du Preez as he chased his own kick.
Graham Henry will have relieved considerable pressure, but for Pete De Villiers the nightmare has just begun. Not only did the Bokke get shutout at home, but he selected a team which was viewed poorly by the South African politicians due to "transformation". I cannot see De Villiers making it through all the way to the next Rugby World Cup; he's just not as elusive as Jake White was.
As I've said before, I think Springbok Coach is the hardest position in world sport.
300
After the last 7 or 8 months, I feel like Leonidas of Sparta, except that by some miracle I've managed to live through/limp away from Thermopylae.
I've survived, and now I'm stronger for it... It's nice to see sunshine again.
(BTW, 300 -- what a great adaption! I read a little while ago that they were considering working with Frank Miller to do a prequel!)
I've survived, and now I'm stronger for it... It's nice to see sunshine again.
(BTW, 300 -- what a great adaption! I read a little while ago that they were considering working with Frank Miller to do a prequel!)
Final Comments on HOF
I finally got a chance to see the Hall of Fame acceptance speeches. I hope the 4 minute standing ovation that Art Monk got when he took the stage (this is not typical; to my knowledge, a first) sends a message to the faceless HOF voters and their politicking. And what a polished speaker!
While on the NFL, I'm feeling very positive about the Skins upcoming year and the beginning of the Zorn era. You could probably say that I'm feeling the same way every year, but the 1st stringers have looked uncharacteristically sharp and polished in their first two outings, and I just love listening to Zorn speak; he makes any topic so engaging.
And for a final comment, how's this for the amusing-because-it's-not-me dept.: Mike Holmgren's (Coach of the Seattle Seahawks) daughter was thrown out of her fantasy football league because she has "too much inside information".
My advice: sue! You are in the right country for it! :)
While on the NFL, I'm feeling very positive about the Skins upcoming year and the beginning of the Zorn era. You could probably say that I'm feeling the same way every year, but the 1st stringers have looked uncharacteristically sharp and polished in their first two outings, and I just love listening to Zorn speak; he makes any topic so engaging.
And for a final comment, how's this for the amusing-because-it's-not-me dept.: Mike Holmgren's (Coach of the Seattle Seahawks) daughter was thrown out of her fantasy football league because she has "too much inside information".
My advice: sue! You are in the right country for it! :)
Saturday, 2 August 2008
Skins v Colts
As I mentioned back in February, two childhood idols of mine -- Art Monk and Darrell Green -- will be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame at this weekend's "Hall of Fame Game".
The game itself is meaningless (the opening preseason game) but I still would have loved to have seen the broadcast purely for the induction ceremonies.
While Green was selected in his first year of eligibility, Monk was snubbed for a number of years with the faceless politics that are involved with Hall of Fame selection.
It was nice to see Monk's typically classy self taking the positives from the situation in an interview with the Washington Post:
Q: What's the greatest moment of your career? As you look to all the accomplishments, the yards, the touchdowns, the catches, the Super Bowls, can you pinpoint what was the greatest moment or the series of greatest moments?
Monk: Of my career?
Q: Yeah.
Monk: Probably something that's sort of not on-the-field-related but off-the-field-related. I mean, it's great to be an athlete, and you want people to enjoy what you do and get excited and all of that. But just the fact that after I retired and this whole Hall of Fame thing and not making it [for several years] to see how the community really responded to that and supported me, I think that's probably the best part, for me, of my career to know that people enjoyed and respected and appreciated me more than just being an athlete, but just as a person.
Hurry up and put the brotha in the hall!
The game itself is meaningless (the opening preseason game) but I still would have loved to have seen the broadcast purely for the induction ceremonies.
While Green was selected in his first year of eligibility, Monk was snubbed for a number of years with the faceless politics that are involved with Hall of Fame selection.
It was nice to see Monk's typically classy self taking the positives from the situation in an interview with the Washington Post:
Q: What's the greatest moment of your career? As you look to all the accomplishments, the yards, the touchdowns, the catches, the Super Bowls, can you pinpoint what was the greatest moment or the series of greatest moments?
Monk: Of my career?
Q: Yeah.
Monk: Probably something that's sort of not on-the-field-related but off-the-field-related. I mean, it's great to be an athlete, and you want people to enjoy what you do and get excited and all of that. But just the fact that after I retired and this whole Hall of Fame thing and not making it [for several years] to see how the community really responded to that and supported me, I think that's probably the best part, for me, of my career to know that people enjoyed and respected and appreciated me more than just being an athlete, but just as a person.
Hurry up and put the brotha in the hall!
Prague
I have had it confirmed I will be doing a conference in Prague mid-November!
I'll probably take a week off beforehand to do a little bit of travel, so now I just have to work out where I'd like to go.
Woo hoo!
I'll probably take a week off beforehand to do a little bit of travel, so now I just have to work out where I'd like to go.
Woo hoo!
Tonight's Contest
It's hard to predict a winner, because even an All-Blacks team with weaknesses is still pretty good.
I appreciate the amount of pressure that is on Henry right now, but I am really quite surprised at his uncharacteristic meekness and excuse making in his press conferences (which actually started before the test last week). This psychological chasm opening up before our eyes with the absense of the stereotypical "headmaster" character we normally see with Henry is why the Aussies licking their chops (as opposed to any differences in talent).
The AB selectors have copped a bit of flack around Kahui on the wing, but I actually like this selection given the physical nature of his opposition, and while I think Nonu creates opportunities for both sides at 12, pairing him up with his Wellington center Conrad Smith (who is a pretty good player outright) should help that combination a little bit.
I'd expect less tries and more kicking and conservative tactics as the stakes continue to climb. Weather will also dictate a change in tactics with a slippery ball. Trying to select McDonald at fullback was a clear indicator of this. As much as the AB's are lamenting McDonald not being able to play at FB tonight, Muliaina was a standout at that spot last week, so they still have a pretty good player there.
The most intriguing matchup will be at the breakdown, with the return of McCaw for the New Zealanders, vs Robbie selecting both Smith and Waugh in the same back row. Last week would have been a very different game with McCaw's presence, given the Wallaby dominance here. The overall physicality should go up a notch which should make it an outright brutal contest, and while superman McCaw always finds a way to surprise you even when you are expecting his best, I wonder whether 80 mins at this intensity level will be too much of an ask for a guy returning from a six-week layoff.
The bench selection is interesting; Vickerman is a tremendously complete player and often makes massive contributions at ruck time, and McMeniman who in more recent years has played blindside flanker as much as lock is an absolute mongrel, and loves to throw himself into the mess.
If the Wallabies don't win tonight it might be another 20 years before they get an opportunity this ripe. But make no mistake, the opportunity is absolutely there.
I appreciate the amount of pressure that is on Henry right now, but I am really quite surprised at his uncharacteristic meekness and excuse making in his press conferences (which actually started before the test last week). This psychological chasm opening up before our eyes with the absense of the stereotypical "headmaster" character we normally see with Henry is why the Aussies licking their chops (as opposed to any differences in talent).
The AB selectors have copped a bit of flack around Kahui on the wing, but I actually like this selection given the physical nature of his opposition, and while I think Nonu creates opportunities for both sides at 12, pairing him up with his Wellington center Conrad Smith (who is a pretty good player outright) should help that combination a little bit.
I'd expect less tries and more kicking and conservative tactics as the stakes continue to climb. Weather will also dictate a change in tactics with a slippery ball. Trying to select McDonald at fullback was a clear indicator of this. As much as the AB's are lamenting McDonald not being able to play at FB tonight, Muliaina was a standout at that spot last week, so they still have a pretty good player there.
The most intriguing matchup will be at the breakdown, with the return of McCaw for the New Zealanders, vs Robbie selecting both Smith and Waugh in the same back row. Last week would have been a very different game with McCaw's presence, given the Wallaby dominance here. The overall physicality should go up a notch which should make it an outright brutal contest, and while superman McCaw always finds a way to surprise you even when you are expecting his best, I wonder whether 80 mins at this intensity level will be too much of an ask for a guy returning from a six-week layoff.
The bench selection is interesting; Vickerman is a tremendously complete player and often makes massive contributions at ruck time, and McMeniman who in more recent years has played blindside flanker as much as lock is an absolute mongrel, and loves to throw himself into the mess.
If the Wallabies don't win tonight it might be another 20 years before they get an opportunity this ripe. But make no mistake, the opportunity is absolutely there.
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