Scotland is another of those progressive countries that has banned smoking in public places. The main issue as far as I am concerned is smoking in bars and pubs. As is the case also when going to Ireland, it was so refreshing to go out in Edinburgh over the weekend and not be assaulted by passive smoke in pubs.
Forget about the health effects of passive smoking; being in an enclosed room full of cigarette smoke is absolutely disgusting. It is an assault on the senses, it stinks, it hurts your eyes and it soaks into your clothes so that they reek for days afterwards.
Coming back to London after being in the wonderful smoke free Edinburgh makes you notice it even more; as soon as you step into the pub you can smell it.
Scotland and Ireland have got it right, sitting in a bar or pub is actually a pleasant experience there. Why is it not the same in England? Why is England so far behind her neighbours?
Fortunately, the government have finally voted on a blanket ban on smoking in public places. They voted on this back in February 2006. However it is not due to come in to place until summer 2007!!!!!!!!!! Why? Why does it take 18 months for this to actually be enacted? What preparations are required before this ban can be enforced that could possibly last for 18 months? Sure you’ve got to give people a bit of time to get used to the idea, but 18 bloody months?!?!
It is absolutely bloody nonsense. As with nearly everything in this country it takes an eternity to do anything. Why vote to do something in a year and half? Why wait that long? We’ve voted for it to happen, so let’s make it happen, NOW!
What's more, it is apparently going to cost £50 million to enforce the ban. How? What are they spending fifty million quid on? Are they going to make 50 million No Smoking signs? What else is required apart from saying "as of now, you can't smoke indoors" Fine, there are some costs associated with making sure everyone does comply, but FIFTY MILLION QUID? FFS!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Piss off Rogers
Mat Rogers wants to keep playing flyhalf for the Wallabies.
Fuck off Rogers, you suck, you're a reserve utility back at best. What makes you think you could bring more to the team at number 10 than Steven Larkham does? Forget about all this backline experimentation; Larkham at 10, Giteau at 12 and Mortlock at 13, Tuqiri and Latham and another winger in there. That's the best backline combination the Wallabies have to offer, why keep messing with it? Saturday's game showed how good they can be if the forwards give them a bit of space.
There's no room in there for you bitch, you shouldn't even be thinking about the World Cup next year, you're going back to league. Why don't you do us all a favour and go there sooner rather than later? You lost the World Cup final for us last time, don't stick around to fuck it up for us again.
Wanker
Fuck off Rogers, you suck, you're a reserve utility back at best. What makes you think you could bring more to the team at number 10 than Steven Larkham does? Forget about all this backline experimentation; Larkham at 10, Giteau at 12 and Mortlock at 13, Tuqiri and Latham and another winger in there. That's the best backline combination the Wallabies have to offer, why keep messing with it? Saturday's game showed how good they can be if the forwards give them a bit of space.
There's no room in there for you bitch, you shouldn't even be thinking about the World Cup next year, you're going back to league. Why don't you do us all a favour and go there sooner rather than later? You lost the World Cup final for us last time, don't stick around to fuck it up for us again.
Wanker
Monday, November 27, 2006
Good weekend to be an Aussie
There was no risk of me missing my flight this weekend and on Friday evening travelled to Edinburgh with 5 other friends for what turned out to be a high quality boys’ weekend. It was only my second visit to Edinburgh – the last time being more than 3 years ago. It really is a great city; very picturesque, lots of places to go out and have fun, there’s a good vibe about the place and plenty of nice people about.
The purpose of the visit of course was to see Australia take on Scotland at Murrayfield. While I have seen the Wallabies play in Scotland before, it was at Hamden Park and so I was keen to visit the home of rugby in Scotland as well. Murrayfield is a great stadium and my only complaint was that there is no big screen for the purpose of seeing replays of the action. This was most disappointing as there was some scintillating back-line play from the Wallabies in the second half especially.
The Scots certainly fancied themselves before the match and given the way the Wallabies have been playing, I was predicting a close match. However Australian teams are never ones to give up and I knew the Wallabies would fancy finishing the tour on a high note. That they did and it was probably the best I have seen them play all year, finally the forwards managed to gain some kind of ascendancy which meant that the backs actually had some time and space to show what they can do. Some great backline moves in the second half especially created some quality tries; it was very entertaining to watch. The defence as well was superb especially when Scotland were pounding at the line at one stage in the second half, the Wallabies just kept repelling them. I hope the Wallabies can take a lot from the tour and improve next year so they can be a serious challengers to the All Blacks in September and October next year.
It was of course an even better weekend to be an Australian, with a crushing of England in the first test of the Ashes. Congrats to England for winning the last series, but they went on as though they had won the bloody world cup. When taken into context, they had in fact narrowly won a single test series, that’s all. The fact that they had not been able to achieve this in 18 years was the reason that they were so elated. Now it seems though the team that won that series is a shadow if its former self. The Aussies are fired up this time and by the end of the summer, the urn will be back in its rightful place and normality will be resumed; it will be proven that last year was nothing more than an anomaly.
Last year though the Aussies won the first test pretty convincingly and then faltered so the series is far from over. Things though are different this time and I don’t think anyone can see that happening again. England will take some heart from their second innings fight back, but they don’t have the skill, class, ability, or confidence at the moment to retain the trophy they fought so hard to win last year. Before the series began, you could only get a paltry 4/1 on Australia winning the series 5-0, something that has happened only once in ashes history; now the odds are even shorter.
The purpose of the visit of course was to see Australia take on Scotland at Murrayfield. While I have seen the Wallabies play in Scotland before, it was at Hamden Park and so I was keen to visit the home of rugby in Scotland as well. Murrayfield is a great stadium and my only complaint was that there is no big screen for the purpose of seeing replays of the action. This was most disappointing as there was some scintillating back-line play from the Wallabies in the second half especially.
The Scots certainly fancied themselves before the match and given the way the Wallabies have been playing, I was predicting a close match. However Australian teams are never ones to give up and I knew the Wallabies would fancy finishing the tour on a high note. That they did and it was probably the best I have seen them play all year, finally the forwards managed to gain some kind of ascendancy which meant that the backs actually had some time and space to show what they can do. Some great backline moves in the second half especially created some quality tries; it was very entertaining to watch. The defence as well was superb especially when Scotland were pounding at the line at one stage in the second half, the Wallabies just kept repelling them. I hope the Wallabies can take a lot from the tour and improve next year so they can be a serious challengers to the All Blacks in September and October next year.
It was of course an even better weekend to be an Australian, with a crushing of England in the first test of the Ashes. Congrats to England for winning the last series, but they went on as though they had won the bloody world cup. When taken into context, they had in fact narrowly won a single test series, that’s all. The fact that they had not been able to achieve this in 18 years was the reason that they were so elated. Now it seems though the team that won that series is a shadow if its former self. The Aussies are fired up this time and by the end of the summer, the urn will be back in its rightful place and normality will be resumed; it will be proven that last year was nothing more than an anomaly.
Last year though the Aussies won the first test pretty convincingly and then faltered so the series is far from over. Things though are different this time and I don’t think anyone can see that happening again. England will take some heart from their second innings fight back, but they don’t have the skill, class, ability, or confidence at the moment to retain the trophy they fought so hard to win last year. Before the series began, you could only get a paltry 4/1 on Australia winning the series 5-0, something that has happened only once in ashes history; now the odds are even shorter.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
0.999...
0.999... recurring is exactly equal to 1
How is this possible you ask?
I demonstrate
x = 0.999…
10x = 9.999…
10x – x = 9.999… - 0.999…
9x = 9
x = 1
Freaky!
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Oooops... She didn't do it!
I am very disappointed by the latest news I have received: apparently there is not any Britney Spears sex tape. Now it would have been very silly of Britney to have made one in the first place and I am pretty sure her advisors would have been certain to warn her against doing something like that. As good as it would have been to see Britney shagging on tape for 4 hours, I’m not quite sure anyone would have paid $22 million for possession of it, which is what was claimed was on offer.
Britney has always sold her image on sex; her videos are erotic, suggestive and leave little to the imagination. I don’t mind this at all and have no problems leaving MTV on when one of her songs is played. While she is watched by plenty of red blooded young men like me, she is also watched by millions of young and adolescent girls, mostly of course, in America. There isn’t anything wrong with this but we should take this into consideration when discussing America’s entirely hypocritical values with regards to sex.
A couple of years ago there was an enormous controversy in the US when Janet Jackson’s bare breast (though her nipple was covered) was exposed on national TV during the Superbowl half time show. It was a national outcry, a crime against humanity, Janet Jackson became public enemy number 1. The television station which was broadcasting the show was even sued for millions of dollars as a result.
It was really was much ado about nothing. How really is that anything different to what Britney Spears does in her videos, which earns her the adoration of people all over the country? Not to mention a hell of a lot of money!
It was just a breast, half of everyone in the world has two of them, why should it be so shocking to see someone else’s? The US would do a lot better if they showed more breasts on television instead of so many guns and violence.
Britney has always sold her image on sex; her videos are erotic, suggestive and leave little to the imagination. I don’t mind this at all and have no problems leaving MTV on when one of her songs is played. While she is watched by plenty of red blooded young men like me, she is also watched by millions of young and adolescent girls, mostly of course, in America. There isn’t anything wrong with this but we should take this into consideration when discussing America’s entirely hypocritical values with regards to sex.
A couple of years ago there was an enormous controversy in the US when Janet Jackson’s bare breast (though her nipple was covered) was exposed on national TV during the Superbowl half time show. It was a national outcry, a crime against humanity, Janet Jackson became public enemy number 1. The television station which was broadcasting the show was even sued for millions of dollars as a result.
It was really was much ado about nothing. How really is that anything different to what Britney Spears does in her videos, which earns her the adoration of people all over the country? Not to mention a hell of a lot of money!
It was just a breast, half of everyone in the world has two of them, why should it be so shocking to see someone else’s? The US would do a lot better if they showed more breasts on television instead of so many guns and violence.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Thirty Million Dollars?????
I have seen Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan; it is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen, and I do intend on seeing it again.
It is of course very popular, and as a result, is making a lot of money. However whenever you publicly make money in America, other people want to try and take some of that off you. It’s a national hobby in America to sue people and already there are plenty of reports of people filing suits against the makers of the movie. The latest one is by the Romanian villagers that were used at the start of the movie to represent a fictional town in Kazakhstan. They claim they were told they were making a documentary about poverty in Romania and they were not aware the movie was a satire. As a result, they are suing for damages due to the fact that they were represented as rapists, abortionists, prostitutes and thieves.
Of course this is absolute nonsense and proceeding with a case like this would be a complete waste of everybody’s time. Viewers of the movie are aware that it is satire; nobody is looking at the Romanian villagers used in the film and thinking that they actually are rapists, abortionists, prostitutes and thieves. We are all well aware that what we are seeing is in fact, fictional. Just like after watching Se7en, I did not think that Kevin Spacey was actually a deranged serial killer, nor do I think that Borat is a real person, or that the villagers were the people they were said to be in the movie.
So there really is no basis at all for a law suit against the makers of the movie. However no doubt there are American lawyers who are the driving forces behind these kind of actions. Suing people is their business, the more people sue others, the more money they make. Given the apparent remoteness of the village in Romania and the apparently poverty shown there; along with the fact that none of them speak English, it is quite unlikely that the villagers concerned, have ever actually seen the movie, or even knew of its existence. It is lawyers who have gone looking for them, they are the ones who have put these ideas in their heads, they are just using them for their own benefit.
The two plaintiffs in the case are suing for THIRTY MILLION DOLLARS in damages. Tell me please how two old Romanian villagers, living on the poverty line, could possibly ever imagine having 30 million dollars? Even if they actually had a fair case to launch against the movies makers, how could they ever justify that they should be paid 30 million dollars for their suffering? It is absolute and utter rubbish and it has been fed to them by greedy American attorneys who are using them for their own means.
The Borat movie did an excellent job of showing how ignorant and foolish some Americans are, and cases like this only further enforce that fact.
It is of course very popular, and as a result, is making a lot of money. However whenever you publicly make money in America, other people want to try and take some of that off you. It’s a national hobby in America to sue people and already there are plenty of reports of people filing suits against the makers of the movie. The latest one is by the Romanian villagers that were used at the start of the movie to represent a fictional town in Kazakhstan. They claim they were told they were making a documentary about poverty in Romania and they were not aware the movie was a satire. As a result, they are suing for damages due to the fact that they were represented as rapists, abortionists, prostitutes and thieves.
Of course this is absolute nonsense and proceeding with a case like this would be a complete waste of everybody’s time. Viewers of the movie are aware that it is satire; nobody is looking at the Romanian villagers used in the film and thinking that they actually are rapists, abortionists, prostitutes and thieves. We are all well aware that what we are seeing is in fact, fictional. Just like after watching Se7en, I did not think that Kevin Spacey was actually a deranged serial killer, nor do I think that Borat is a real person, or that the villagers were the people they were said to be in the movie.
So there really is no basis at all for a law suit against the makers of the movie. However no doubt there are American lawyers who are the driving forces behind these kind of actions. Suing people is their business, the more people sue others, the more money they make. Given the apparent remoteness of the village in Romania and the apparently poverty shown there; along with the fact that none of them speak English, it is quite unlikely that the villagers concerned, have ever actually seen the movie, or even knew of its existence. It is lawyers who have gone looking for them, they are the ones who have put these ideas in their heads, they are just using them for their own benefit.
The two plaintiffs in the case are suing for THIRTY MILLION DOLLARS in damages. Tell me please how two old Romanian villagers, living on the poverty line, could possibly ever imagine having 30 million dollars? Even if they actually had a fair case to launch against the movies makers, how could they ever justify that they should be paid 30 million dollars for their suffering? It is absolute and utter rubbish and it has been fed to them by greedy American attorneys who are using them for their own means.
The Borat movie did an excellent job of showing how ignorant and foolish some Americans are, and cases like this only further enforce that fact.
Friday, November 17, 2006
The odds
Saturday 3pm
West Ham 2 Chelsea 1
This scoreline will net me £650
I admit that it is not the most likely of scorelines but I think that the odds don't give West Ham enough credit.
Oh and I quite fancy winning that £120 million tonight as well!
West Ham 2 Chelsea 1
This scoreline will net me £650
I admit that it is not the most likely of scorelines but I think that the odds don't give West Ham enough credit.
Oh and I quite fancy winning that £120 million tonight as well!
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Good and Evil
One of the arguments levelled at atheists by theists is; how can you have morals without God? The answer is simple, in fact, the requirement of a God for morals to exist is in fact a far more worrying prospect.
We have to consider that the human race is the result of 4 billion years of evolution. In order for us to be here now, as a product of this evolution, human beings must have developed traits in order for us to survive as a species. Every form of life seeks to survive, even the smallest living cell is required to live and subsequently reproduce. So it is that co-operation with other living things increases our chances of survival. The living cells within our body co-operate with each other to become something greater; us. So we live as a result of the co-operation of all the cells within our body, and so do those cells live. We as humans, co-operate with each other to create a society and thus improve our chances of survival. We have a set of rules by which we live, because we need our society to survive for us to survive. We should not kill, not because some kind of God says so, but because nobody wants to be killed themselves. I do not want people to steal my possessions and so I do not steal those of others. It is by encouraging everyone else to live by these rules that we can further secure our own survival. This concept is further cemented by the fact that we feel the emotion of empathy.
This is how morals have developed within society; it is evolutionary traits amongst us that have engineered so called morals. There is no such thing as good and evil, right or wrong, these are just words. It is frightening in fact to think that many people do not kill or do not steal, because they think God has told them not to, and not because they simply should not do it. However perhaps as a whole, for the evolution of society; it has been necessary for religion to exist to enforce these rules. As much as it is fair to say that we co-operate with each other to the benefit of society as a whole; humans still have an inherent selfish nature to ensure one’s own survival above all others. Thus the fear of retribution from a higher power for breaching society’s laws can be seen as further strengthening their application. Of course no method is perfect and thus with religion we have the converse effect with people who kill because they believe they are doing God’s work.
So there is a trade off, but religion is still essentially irrelevant. There is a perfectly logical reason for the existence of morals that does not involve any kind of supernatural power. The belief in such a supernatural power, may or may not have aided in the application of these rules; regardless though such belief exists though it should not be suggested as a reason for right and wrong.
We have to consider that the human race is the result of 4 billion years of evolution. In order for us to be here now, as a product of this evolution, human beings must have developed traits in order for us to survive as a species. Every form of life seeks to survive, even the smallest living cell is required to live and subsequently reproduce. So it is that co-operation with other living things increases our chances of survival. The living cells within our body co-operate with each other to become something greater; us. So we live as a result of the co-operation of all the cells within our body, and so do those cells live. We as humans, co-operate with each other to create a society and thus improve our chances of survival. We have a set of rules by which we live, because we need our society to survive for us to survive. We should not kill, not because some kind of God says so, but because nobody wants to be killed themselves. I do not want people to steal my possessions and so I do not steal those of others. It is by encouraging everyone else to live by these rules that we can further secure our own survival. This concept is further cemented by the fact that we feel the emotion of empathy.
This is how morals have developed within society; it is evolutionary traits amongst us that have engineered so called morals. There is no such thing as good and evil, right or wrong, these are just words. It is frightening in fact to think that many people do not kill or do not steal, because they think God has told them not to, and not because they simply should not do it. However perhaps as a whole, for the evolution of society; it has been necessary for religion to exist to enforce these rules. As much as it is fair to say that we co-operate with each other to the benefit of society as a whole; humans still have an inherent selfish nature to ensure one’s own survival above all others. Thus the fear of retribution from a higher power for breaching society’s laws can be seen as further strengthening their application. Of course no method is perfect and thus with religion we have the converse effect with people who kill because they believe they are doing God’s work.
So there is a trade off, but religion is still essentially irrelevant. There is a perfectly logical reason for the existence of morals that does not involve any kind of supernatural power. The belief in such a supernatural power, may or may not have aided in the application of these rules; regardless though such belief exists though it should not be suggested as a reason for right and wrong.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Treated like a fool
I’m pissed off. I bought the new Grand Theft Auto for my PSP last week. It required a system software update to 2.81 which comes on the disc. So I performed this and started playing GTA. It seemed to work ok for a while, then the graphics started to stuff up. I turned it off and came back to it later. Now though, it wont load any UMD at all. I put a UMD in and it just keeps trying to read it, the screen freezes and I cannot even turn it off, unless I open it and take the UMD out.
So this is not very good, I had better do some investigating and find out how to fix this. First stop: the PSP website. Let’s look up troubleshooting, ah here we go The PSP system does not recognise the UMD. Ok so what does it say we should do about that?
• Check that the UMD is properly inserted. Try taking out the UMD and reinserting it.
• Check that the UMD recording surface and cassette are not damaged.
That’s it? That’s fucking it? That’s all the website has got to say about that particular problem. Thank you for stating the bleeding fucking obvious. What the hell do you think I tried doing in the first place? Who the hell actually needs to go to the troubleshooting section of the website, to realise that this is what you should try doing first?
Thank you for your help Sony but I already fucking tried doing that and it didn’t work, which is why I am looking on your website to see what else I can do.
Dickheads
So this is not very good, I had better do some investigating and find out how to fix this. First stop: the PSP website. Let’s look up troubleshooting, ah here we go The PSP system does not recognise the UMD. Ok so what does it say we should do about that?
• Check that the UMD is properly inserted. Try taking out the UMD and reinserting it.
• Check that the UMD recording surface and cassette are not damaged.
That’s it? That’s fucking it? That’s all the website has got to say about that particular problem. Thank you for stating the bleeding fucking obvious. What the hell do you think I tried doing in the first place? Who the hell actually needs to go to the troubleshooting section of the website, to realise that this is what you should try doing first?
Thank you for your help Sony but I already fucking tried doing that and it didn’t work, which is why I am looking on your website to see what else I can do.
Dickheads
Monday, November 13, 2006
Plonker
I am such a plonker
So I was supposed to catch a 7am flight to Rome on Saturday; I should have had a reasonably early night, but I thought it would be no harm to head down to the local for a couple. Unfortunately a couple turned into more than that and I didn’t get home until quite late. “I’ll just stay up all night” I announced, but then failed to prevent myself from falling asleep. Subsequently waking up well and truly after the flight had left.
Oh well, so I paid for flights and a match ticket that I didn’t get to use, never mind. The problem was that I was still in possession of Rolly’s match ticket, and he was already in Rome! So after calling him and giving him the details he said he would try and get a replacement from the Wallabies Overseas Supporters Club. I didn’t hear back from him until shortly before the game when he text me with a few expletives saying he couldn’t get into the game. I told him to get a ticket from a tout and I would refund him the money, I kindly agreed to pay €200 for the ticket. So it was that I spent the rest of the weekend counting the cost of a rugby match that I never got to see.
I could only really laugh it off as there was not much I could do about it. As it turned out it was a terrible game anyway and not really worth watching at all. But it does mean that it is unlikely I will complete my 6 nations set of teams, which is a shame. In the end I watched 3 other games of rugby, all of which were great games to watch, especially the All Blacks who were just sensational. I also went to Steve’s birthday party and had a pretty damn good time there.
So today at lunch time the whole scenario improved when Rolly told me that he had actually managed to get a replacement ticket for free and that he had been pulling my leg about the €200 all weekend. Apparently they were all having a good giggle about it at the time and I agree it was a pretty funny joke.
So I was supposed to catch a 7am flight to Rome on Saturday; I should have had a reasonably early night, but I thought it would be no harm to head down to the local for a couple. Unfortunately a couple turned into more than that and I didn’t get home until quite late. “I’ll just stay up all night” I announced, but then failed to prevent myself from falling asleep. Subsequently waking up well and truly after the flight had left.
Oh well, so I paid for flights and a match ticket that I didn’t get to use, never mind. The problem was that I was still in possession of Rolly’s match ticket, and he was already in Rome! So after calling him and giving him the details he said he would try and get a replacement from the Wallabies Overseas Supporters Club. I didn’t hear back from him until shortly before the game when he text me with a few expletives saying he couldn’t get into the game. I told him to get a ticket from a tout and I would refund him the money, I kindly agreed to pay €200 for the ticket. So it was that I spent the rest of the weekend counting the cost of a rugby match that I never got to see.
I could only really laugh it off as there was not much I could do about it. As it turned out it was a terrible game anyway and not really worth watching at all. But it does mean that it is unlikely I will complete my 6 nations set of teams, which is a shame. In the end I watched 3 other games of rugby, all of which were great games to watch, especially the All Blacks who were just sensational. I also went to Steve’s birthday party and had a pretty damn good time there.
So today at lunch time the whole scenario improved when Rolly told me that he had actually managed to get a replacement ticket for free and that he had been pulling my leg about the €200 all weekend. Apparently they were all having a good giggle about it at the time and I agree it was a pretty funny joke.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Test Match Rugby
I’m flying to Rome tomorrow to see the Wallabies play Italy. I am then flying back to London after the game. I can’t really be bothered hanging around in Italy to do anything else so I’d rather just head home. Gutted though I will be missing Kiwi FC match, it will be the first game this season I will have missed.
Anyway, the Wallabies should really beat Italy by a considerable margin otherwise there is something seriously wrong. I didn’t see the game against Wales last week and I’m keen to see how the Giteau, Rogers, Larkham inside backs combination works out. The pack needs to keep improving though and it will be a good test for them as Italy have a strong pack of forwards. It promises to be an enjoyable game to watch, it will as well complete the set of six nations sides for me; I have seen Australia play test matches against all other 6 nations sides apart from Italy. I will not however have been to every 6 nations stadium as when I saw the Wallabies play Scotland, it was at Hamden park in Glasgow. I will complete that set in 2 weeks time when I see them play at Murrayfield.
Yesterday morning was a particularly stressful time as I attempted to order a set of tickets to the Rugby World Cup 2007. Individual tickets came on sale at 8am GMT and I was at my desk in readiness to log on to the site and order them. Needless to say there were a hell of a lot of other people with the same idea and the site was overloaded. Finally after receiving so many page errors, clicking back, getting to the last page before being timed out and other incredibly frustrating obstacles; I finally had my ticket request processed, four and a half hours after I first started trying. Fortunately I have not been very busy at work this week.
So I will be attending Australia’s pool matches against Wales, Fiji and Canada as well as Quarter final 1; which hopefully Australia will be playing in if they manage to win their pool. If they do win their pool and advance beyond the quarter final, then their opponents will most likely be the All Blacks (unless the have choked already) However if Australia were to come second in their pool, they would not face the All Blacks until the final if they were to make it that far. But they have to be beaten and so it doesn’t matter whether that is in the semi final or the final itself. I think the All Blacks are the clear favourites for next year’s World Cup. They have a large squad of high quality players will lots of test experience. Graham Henry is a superb coach and his team plays excellent controlled and tactical rugby. However they can still be beaten on the day; a team that wants to win the world cup must defeat the All Blacks.
Oh and I’m also going to see Romania vs Repechage 1 in what promises to be one of the tournament’s marquee matches.
Anyway, the Wallabies should really beat Italy by a considerable margin otherwise there is something seriously wrong. I didn’t see the game against Wales last week and I’m keen to see how the Giteau, Rogers, Larkham inside backs combination works out. The pack needs to keep improving though and it will be a good test for them as Italy have a strong pack of forwards. It promises to be an enjoyable game to watch, it will as well complete the set of six nations sides for me; I have seen Australia play test matches against all other 6 nations sides apart from Italy. I will not however have been to every 6 nations stadium as when I saw the Wallabies play Scotland, it was at Hamden park in Glasgow. I will complete that set in 2 weeks time when I see them play at Murrayfield.
Yesterday morning was a particularly stressful time as I attempted to order a set of tickets to the Rugby World Cup 2007. Individual tickets came on sale at 8am GMT and I was at my desk in readiness to log on to the site and order them. Needless to say there were a hell of a lot of other people with the same idea and the site was overloaded. Finally after receiving so many page errors, clicking back, getting to the last page before being timed out and other incredibly frustrating obstacles; I finally had my ticket request processed, four and a half hours after I first started trying. Fortunately I have not been very busy at work this week.
So I will be attending Australia’s pool matches against Wales, Fiji and Canada as well as Quarter final 1; which hopefully Australia will be playing in if they manage to win their pool. If they do win their pool and advance beyond the quarter final, then their opponents will most likely be the All Blacks (unless the have choked already) However if Australia were to come second in their pool, they would not face the All Blacks until the final if they were to make it that far. But they have to be beaten and so it doesn’t matter whether that is in the semi final or the final itself. I think the All Blacks are the clear favourites for next year’s World Cup. They have a large squad of high quality players will lots of test experience. Graham Henry is a superb coach and his team plays excellent controlled and tactical rugby. However they can still be beaten on the day; a team that wants to win the world cup must defeat the All Blacks.
Oh and I’m also going to see Romania vs Repechage 1 in what promises to be one of the tournament’s marquee matches.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
The God Delusion
I have just had my copy of Richard Dawkins’ “The God Delusion” delivered from Amazon and I am very keen to begin reading it. Dawkins said in an interview promoting his book that he hoped that with his book he might convince some people that were sitting on the fence as far as religion is concerned, to conform to a generally atheist point of view. In my case though Professor Dawkins is most certainly preaching to the converted, none the less I will enjoy reading this book immensely. I am a staunch atheist, I reject all earthly religions and my belief in the non-existence of a god is tantamount to a faith in itself.
Professor Dawkins speaks my language and I will no doubt agree with almost everything in his book. It is a good feeling when someone else agrees strongly with one’s own beliefs. For me, this book will be akin to a Christian person reading the bible.
Many people when questioned about their faith claim that they just know that there is a god and that they can feel that they are right in their beliefs. This is the extent to which I believe there is not. Apart from the overwhelmingly convincing arguments against the existence of a god, and the underwhelmingly feeble arguments for the existence of god; I just feel that I am right in my beliefs.
Of course it is only in the past few hundred years that I would have been able to say something like this without being horribly tortured and executed. Gradually though over time, certainly in the western world, as knowledge and information has become more easily available to everybody, the need for religion has waned. I sincerely hope that western society will continue on its path towards secularism. Religious fundamentalism is making a comeback in the 21st century; Islamic fundamentalists are recruiting a lot of people in the Arab world to their cause. Christian fundamentalists are currently in control of the most powerful country in the world.
Ignorance breeds religion, knowledge and information can overcome it. I hope this book plays its part.
Professor Dawkins speaks my language and I will no doubt agree with almost everything in his book. It is a good feeling when someone else agrees strongly with one’s own beliefs. For me, this book will be akin to a Christian person reading the bible.
Many people when questioned about their faith claim that they just know that there is a god and that they can feel that they are right in their beliefs. This is the extent to which I believe there is not. Apart from the overwhelmingly convincing arguments against the existence of a god, and the underwhelmingly feeble arguments for the existence of god; I just feel that I am right in my beliefs.
Of course it is only in the past few hundred years that I would have been able to say something like this without being horribly tortured and executed. Gradually though over time, certainly in the western world, as knowledge and information has become more easily available to everybody, the need for religion has waned. I sincerely hope that western society will continue on its path towards secularism. Religious fundamentalism is making a comeback in the 21st century; Islamic fundamentalists are recruiting a lot of people in the Arab world to their cause. Christian fundamentalists are currently in control of the most powerful country in the world.
Ignorance breeds religion, knowledge and information can overcome it. I hope this book plays its part.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Mental notes are easily erased
I made mental notes of a few things on the weekend that I wanted to come and put in a bit of a “This is what happened in my head on the weekend” type posting. Unfortunately the effects of beer also went on in my head, and while I don’t forget what happened on the weekend, I can’t really remember these poignant things I was supposed to write about. Still I am going to type about the weekend and see what I end up with.
I bagged my 10th goal of the season on Saturday in our 4-2 win. I am clearly the leading goal scorer in the team but the funny thing about it is that at least skill-wise, I am probably the worst player in the side. None the less I am doing what is required of me as a striker and we’re winning games. I’m having a great time playing for Kiwi FC this season and we’re having our best season yet.
I claimed Kiwi-ness again on Sunday when the All Blacks took on the English. I borrowed my mate Bryan’s spare All Blacks jersey and was happy to cheer a pretty solid win. The All Blacks are awesome and I can’t see them losing the world cup next year.
It was a pretty good day all round for sport watching yesterday. As I am a recently single man, I can watch all the sport I want. Starting in the morning with the final of the ICC champions’ trophy; after a great start by the Windies, the Aussie bowlers ripped through their batsmen and put themselves in a great position to win the only trophy they haven’t won. I watched them bat up until 45-2, but then the rain came. By the time they were back on the pitch, I was in the pub with a good spot for watching the rugby.
Before that though it was great to see Arsenal lose to a 88th minute winner against West Ham. It was even better to see Arsene Wenger throw his toys out of the pram, refuse to shake Alan Pardew’s hand then refuse to talk to anyone after the game. I have great admiration for the man who is clearly a football genius but he is also a big baby and a very bad loser. Of course the fact that he manages Arsenal makes him a prick anyway.
Still can’t think of what those cool things were that I was going to write about. I am getting a new smartphone this week (fingers crossed) so once that happens I can feel myself becoming more organised, I will probably write things down more often (since it has a touch screen and stylus.) It’s the Sonyericcson W950i check it out.
I have a potato at home, I’ll pick up a piece of fillet steak at Moens for dinner.
Right that’s it. This was probably just a waste of time
I bagged my 10th goal of the season on Saturday in our 4-2 win. I am clearly the leading goal scorer in the team but the funny thing about it is that at least skill-wise, I am probably the worst player in the side. None the less I am doing what is required of me as a striker and we’re winning games. I’m having a great time playing for Kiwi FC this season and we’re having our best season yet.
I claimed Kiwi-ness again on Sunday when the All Blacks took on the English. I borrowed my mate Bryan’s spare All Blacks jersey and was happy to cheer a pretty solid win. The All Blacks are awesome and I can’t see them losing the world cup next year.
It was a pretty good day all round for sport watching yesterday. As I am a recently single man, I can watch all the sport I want. Starting in the morning with the final of the ICC champions’ trophy; after a great start by the Windies, the Aussie bowlers ripped through their batsmen and put themselves in a great position to win the only trophy they haven’t won. I watched them bat up until 45-2, but then the rain came. By the time they were back on the pitch, I was in the pub with a good spot for watching the rugby.
Before that though it was great to see Arsenal lose to a 88th minute winner against West Ham. It was even better to see Arsene Wenger throw his toys out of the pram, refuse to shake Alan Pardew’s hand then refuse to talk to anyone after the game. I have great admiration for the man who is clearly a football genius but he is also a big baby and a very bad loser. Of course the fact that he manages Arsenal makes him a prick anyway.
Still can’t think of what those cool things were that I was going to write about. I am getting a new smartphone this week (fingers crossed) so once that happens I can feel myself becoming more organised, I will probably write things down more often (since it has a touch screen and stylus.) It’s the Sonyericcson W950i check it out.
I have a potato at home, I’ll pick up a piece of fillet steak at Moens for dinner.
Right that’s it. This was probably just a waste of time
Buca Juniors v Kiwi FC
Buca Juniors v Kiwi FC (Win 4-2)
Saturday 4 November 2006
Wandsworth Common 14:00
Kiwi FC continued their winning streak at the weekend with another fine second half performance to take all 3 points. Twice the Kiwis came back from a goal down to record their third 2 goal win in a row.
The match started without an official referee so Kiwi FC provided the ref from their own ranks. Again though they started the game on the back foot and allowed the opposition to control the play in the opening exchanges. Buca were well organised and Kiwi FC realised that despite their opponents propping up the bottom of the table, they were not to be taken lightly.
So it was that Buca took the lead with the first goal that Kiwi FC had conceded from open play in 3 games. After that however Kiwis started to find their shape and controlled the ball well, building attacks from the back. Steve Mc and Robbie were making some sharp runs down both flanks and getting the team into good field positions. It was from one of these good positions that the Kiwi equaliser came from. “Run off Gav” was the call from Steve Mc as he launched a throw into the Buca box. It was a great call and there can be no more reliable than Gav to win the ball. He did just that and headed towards James at the six yard box, the keeper called for the ball but James got there first and nodded in, Kiwis were back on level terms.
The play continued in a relatively even manner throughout the first half. Kiwis fashioned themselves a few more chances but were unable to take the lead. Buca as well secured plenty of territory but Scott, Brendan, Cappy and Dave denied them any real scoring opportunities. Cappy’s head must have been sore after the game as he got to so many high clearances from the keeper. Buca did manage to take one of the chances that came their way and Kiwi FC went a goal behind again. That is the way it stayed until half time.
Confidence amongst the Kiwis though was still high and there was much talk of last week’s scintillating second half. Kiwis knew they could do it and they started the second half brightly. They controlled the ball and dictated the play, Gav was a workhorse in midfield as usual and Kiwis gradually wore their opposition down. The equaliser came as a result of some constant pressure in the Buca goal area. Gav, with his back to goal, swivelled and hit a shot that had the keeper well and truly beaten; he was unlucky and saw his ball bounce back off the post. Nick O was on hand and his quick reactions ensured he buried the rebound in the back of the net. It was 2-2 and Kiwis hadn’t finished yet.
Kiwi FC continued to dominate the game, the opposition were tiring and Kiwis’ superior strength and stamina gave them the advantage. Kiwis continued to create chances for themselves but were possibly a little wasteful in front of goal when they should have taken the lead.
Take the lead they did though, and when they did it came in the most spectacular of fashions. Brendan had made a lovely jinking run down the right, he made acres of space for himself and the Kiwi attackers swarmed into the box. From out on the right, Brendan cut back on his left foot and sent the ball into the box. Was it a cross? Was it a shot? Who cares, because it sailed into the top left hand corner of the net for a goal that Ronaldinho would have been proud of. For the first time in the match, Kiwi FC had the lead and from there, they didn’t look back.
Kiwis continued on in the same fashion, dictating play and keeping the ball down the Buca end, they were looking for the goal that would give them that 2 goal cushion. Nick O had come on at half time and he was playing a barnstorming second half, he controlled the ball well, made space for himself and others and he worked tirelessly. He had already rattled the net once, and he would do so again. Kiwis were again pressuring the Buca goal and a shot was parried by the keeper. Nick picked his moment and charged into the box, he was first to the ball and emphatically fired a venomous shot into the net. It was just rewards for his splendid second half contribution.
4-2 was the way the score-line stayed and as the full time whistle blew, Kiwi FC knew they had secured a deserved victory. Cheers to Steve A and Nick P for donning the gloves in the absence of our keeper. Cheers as well to the Duck for £2 pints from 5-7.
Saturday 4 November 2006
Wandsworth Common 14:00
Kiwi FC continued their winning streak at the weekend with another fine second half performance to take all 3 points. Twice the Kiwis came back from a goal down to record their third 2 goal win in a row.
The match started without an official referee so Kiwi FC provided the ref from their own ranks. Again though they started the game on the back foot and allowed the opposition to control the play in the opening exchanges. Buca were well organised and Kiwi FC realised that despite their opponents propping up the bottom of the table, they were not to be taken lightly.
So it was that Buca took the lead with the first goal that Kiwi FC had conceded from open play in 3 games. After that however Kiwis started to find their shape and controlled the ball well, building attacks from the back. Steve Mc and Robbie were making some sharp runs down both flanks and getting the team into good field positions. It was from one of these good positions that the Kiwi equaliser came from. “Run off Gav” was the call from Steve Mc as he launched a throw into the Buca box. It was a great call and there can be no more reliable than Gav to win the ball. He did just that and headed towards James at the six yard box, the keeper called for the ball but James got there first and nodded in, Kiwis were back on level terms.
The play continued in a relatively even manner throughout the first half. Kiwis fashioned themselves a few more chances but were unable to take the lead. Buca as well secured plenty of territory but Scott, Brendan, Cappy and Dave denied them any real scoring opportunities. Cappy’s head must have been sore after the game as he got to so many high clearances from the keeper. Buca did manage to take one of the chances that came their way and Kiwi FC went a goal behind again. That is the way it stayed until half time.
Confidence amongst the Kiwis though was still high and there was much talk of last week’s scintillating second half. Kiwis knew they could do it and they started the second half brightly. They controlled the ball and dictated the play, Gav was a workhorse in midfield as usual and Kiwis gradually wore their opposition down. The equaliser came as a result of some constant pressure in the Buca goal area. Gav, with his back to goal, swivelled and hit a shot that had the keeper well and truly beaten; he was unlucky and saw his ball bounce back off the post. Nick O was on hand and his quick reactions ensured he buried the rebound in the back of the net. It was 2-2 and Kiwis hadn’t finished yet.
Kiwi FC continued to dominate the game, the opposition were tiring and Kiwis’ superior strength and stamina gave them the advantage. Kiwis continued to create chances for themselves but were possibly a little wasteful in front of goal when they should have taken the lead.
Take the lead they did though, and when they did it came in the most spectacular of fashions. Brendan had made a lovely jinking run down the right, he made acres of space for himself and the Kiwi attackers swarmed into the box. From out on the right, Brendan cut back on his left foot and sent the ball into the box. Was it a cross? Was it a shot? Who cares, because it sailed into the top left hand corner of the net for a goal that Ronaldinho would have been proud of. For the first time in the match, Kiwi FC had the lead and from there, they didn’t look back.
Kiwis continued on in the same fashion, dictating play and keeping the ball down the Buca end, they were looking for the goal that would give them that 2 goal cushion. Nick O had come on at half time and he was playing a barnstorming second half, he controlled the ball well, made space for himself and others and he worked tirelessly. He had already rattled the net once, and he would do so again. Kiwis were again pressuring the Buca goal and a shot was parried by the keeper. Nick picked his moment and charged into the box, he was first to the ball and emphatically fired a venomous shot into the net. It was just rewards for his splendid second half contribution.
4-2 was the way the score-line stayed and as the full time whistle blew, Kiwi FC knew they had secured a deserved victory. Cheers to Steve A and Nick P for donning the gloves in the absence of our keeper. Cheers as well to the Duck for £2 pints from 5-7.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Cold and Dark
Summer time has ended and it is now well and truly dark by the time work is finished. It is annoying more than depressing and I am sure I will get used to it. After a really mild October, the temperature has now dropped to just 1C or 2C overnight. I have thus far not needed the winter coat but I think tomorrow I will be wearing it.
So the countdown now is until the winter solstice on December 22. There are 50 days to go where each day’s sunlight will be shorter than the previous. The solstice is something to look forward to as after that point; each day will start getting longer.
Winter is annoying because one is so much more unproductive during winter. When one gets home of an evening there is little incentive to go out because it is not very pleasant heading out in the cold and the dark. So one tends to stay on the couch in front of the tele a lot more in winter. Fortunately they stack the football fixture calendar in the darkest months of winter, which probably keeps the razor blades away from a few wrists here and there.
Winter is really not that bad, though the hardest thing for an Australian living in London during the winter; is know that it is lovely and warm back home. Though to be honest it probably gets a bit too hot for me in Sydney in the summer. There’s just no pleasing some is there?
So the countdown now is until the winter solstice on December 22. There are 50 days to go where each day’s sunlight will be shorter than the previous. The solstice is something to look forward to as after that point; each day will start getting longer.
Winter is annoying because one is so much more unproductive during winter. When one gets home of an evening there is little incentive to go out because it is not very pleasant heading out in the cold and the dark. So one tends to stay on the couch in front of the tele a lot more in winter. Fortunately they stack the football fixture calendar in the darkest months of winter, which probably keeps the razor blades away from a few wrists here and there.
Winter is really not that bad, though the hardest thing for an Australian living in London during the winter; is know that it is lovely and warm back home. Though to be honest it probably gets a bit too hot for me in Sydney in the summer. There’s just no pleasing some is there?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
