Summer Holiday and Thoughts for 2011

I'm off on a wee Summer Holiday, back in around two weeks, I may
be able to blog a wee bit on Holiday, who knows???

Anyway it's been a heck of a year for New Zealand, we have
had Earthquakes and Aftershocks, Mine disasters, a recession,
so it hasn't been a great year for kiwis.

There have been highlights also, Our soccer team did us proud at the
world cup, our league team beat Australia, our Rowers did well, so
all that bought some great relief to the country.

We can only hope 2011 will be a great year for everybody involved,
it seems a lot of people were quite agro this year with all the stress
that had been happening, and look like they ready to explode.

A blog that I use to go to but dont anymore, ended
their last post for the year by saying "Don't Take no
Sh*t" from no Nobody" Which was quite ironic since
that blogger seemed to gave out more crrap than
they got.

I think a better statement would be, "Don't give no
sh*t to anybody" Try to understand where other
people are coming from, dont get upset at the little
things, take a few deep breathes, think of your happy
place, sure if you see an injustice, stand up for the little
guy, If you see BS happening become passionate and
get your point of view out there, (Heck I have done this
myself with what our sports media have done) but name
calling, screaming, being abusive probably isnt the right way
to go about things, as they lifes too short to get angry over
things you dont have control over, trying to change
something is great, being a nasty Meany isn't.

So don't be a hypocrite, don't be a jerk, dont make
fun of people, and 2011 might be a great year for you.

My wishes for 2011 is to be safe, healthy and
happy for myself, family and Friends.

Thanks for coming to this blog, hopefully in 2011 it will be better.

Now I'm off for a beach holiday!

Merry Xmas

To all, have a Merry Xmas and a Great New Year.

The Halbergs

This has to be moment of the year, Team of the Year,
Coach of the Year, Player of the Year, Supreme award
of the year.

The public and the judges have to make the right decision if they dont sport will be destroyed  in New Zealand, this the ultimate test of how much power the media have over the public and what they get away with.


What the New Zealand soccer team did was amazing, to
not to lose a match on sports biggest stage was unheard of, I
was in the states for most of the tournament and in the USA,
we even made the coverage there in the papers and on the
Television.

IMHO the two biggest sporting achievements we have ever done
are the 2002 tall blacks for making the semifinals of the world
Basketball champs and the 2010 all whites not losing a game at
the world cup.

I only hope the public and media see it that way also, if
not things are going to get worse in terms of sports
Journalism in this country, but if the right thing is done,
there is hope, and it will be a massive thank you to one of
our great sports teams, and we will owe Ricki Herbet, Ryan
Nelsen, Reid and Smeltz everything.

Fingers and Toes Crossed.

Go the All Whites.

(For American readers of this Blog, the All Whites are the nickname
of our soccer team because they wear all white)

Brendan Telfer and The Halberg Awards

Once again Brendan Telfer is manipulating the
New Zealand sporting public with the Halberg awards.

Brendan Telfer who is a senior judge and Journalist on
Radio sport has a history of Journalistic rape that goes back
decades.

Even just recently he wouldn't nominate the Kiwis for winning
the world cup in 2008, because in his words "The Rugby League
World Cup is worthless" yet he managed to vote to give the
Supreme award to the Silver Ferns for winning the sport of
Netball, a sport so nonexistent it wasn't even shown on television
in Australia, the other finalist.

So this year, the Halbergs have started a special award
that will be decided by public voting, called "The Moment
of the Year" and again what has Brendon Telfer done, but
pushed his netball barrel on not only the public but the
other judges and that is nothing but Journalist Rape.

So when the Netballer's clean out the awards,  Brendan
Telfer can go back on the radio and say, "well, the Judges
were right to give the supreme award to the Netballers,
take a look at the sporting moment  award that was voted
by fans.

Well Mr Telfer, the public is being lead by you and your
partners in crime the sporting media to go this way, and if
there was any decency in our sporting media at all, the All
Whites (New Zealand Football team) will clean up because
tof their 2010 world cup performance.

A country's sports fans knowledge comes from what their
media tells them, and for decades you have been lying and
misleading  the public just to promote the rather small sport
you love. While sports like Football, Basketball and Rugby
League are being put to the backbenchers.

Now the Rugby media and the NZRFU  loves you for this,
because you see, Netball isn't a threat to their sport, but
Football, League and Basketball are, so Rugby
Journos are cheering you on.

I just feel so sad for the New Zealand sporting public, that
there are Journalists like you, what you do is Journalistic Rape
and you should never be allowed near a microphone or a pen
again.

If there is any justice in the world, The All Whites will win team
of the year, Ryan Nelsen male sports man of the year, and
Ricki Herbert Coach, the moment would of course be Reid's
goal. Runner up will be the Kiwis.

But of course that anit going to happen is it, Telfer.

It's going to be all about the Netball.

My fingers and Toes are crossed that Im wrong.

But I'm ani't holding my breath.

Garth Brooks Nashville Concerts Ends

Garth Brooks has finished his run of nine concerts for the
flood victims of Nashville, he now ends back to retirement
to look after his three daughters, who are busy with schooling
and soccer practise, his youngest wants a career in the music
industry.

What can one say about the man? He has stuck to his word
about being a stay at home dad, until his youngest daughter
turns 18 and leaves to go to college.

Apart from the odd run of shows for charity or the odd weekend
a year doing a storytellers one man show, Garth Brooks has stayed
out of the spotlight for nine years, there's been no new studio album
since 2001 and no tour since 1998, yet this quiet man when he's off
stage came back the past week and once again showed what the
music world is missing.

There is probably no one in the music industry who could
of done this, who during an arena type show with 16
thousand people, can turn the show into something
intimate during one show, then into a stadium show
the next, he was sincere and genunie and somewhat
suprised at the reaction he got, and I would say he's
going to be shocked when he reads the reviews from
media outlets which in the past has been his harshest
critics. Rollingstone magazine, Billboard, ABC News,
  NashvilleScene  all say not only has he still got the magic,
but that there is no one in the industry quite like Garth Brooks.

How can you not like a Guy who has kept his daughters
out of the spotlight, while other artists have based reality
Tv shows around theirs, how can you not like a guy who
music not only crosses every boundaires with it's openness,
but has tried to create something new with every song.

He cares about the Album artists, he cares about the
writers, the stage hands, the fans and most of all and
most importanely of all he cares about the music
and that is what makes Garth Brooks the artist he is.

So roll on 2014, that is the year when we can expect a
new album and a new tour from the genius that is Garth Brooks.

Below his is playlist from his final charity show from Nashville.
Thanks to the good folk at PlanetGarth for this.

1. Rodeo
2. Papa Loved Mama
3. Beaches of Cheyenne
4. Two of a Kind
5. Much Too Young
6. Good Ride Cowboy
7. Shameless
8. Unanswered Prayers
9. We Shall Be Free
10. Longneck Bottle (w/ Steve Wariner)
11. The River
12. That Summer
13. Callin’ Baton Rouge
14. In Another’s Eyes (w/ Trisha Yearwood)
15. She’s In Love With The Boy (Trisha Yearwood)
16. How Do I Live (Trisha Yearwood)
17. The Thunder Rolls
18. Friends In Low Places
19. The Dance
20. Ain’t Goin’ Down
21. What She’s Doing Now
22. Wild Horses
23. She’s Every Woman
24. She’s Gonna Make It
25. Somewhere Other Than The Night
26. Two Pina Coladas
27. New Way To Fly
28. More Than A Memory
29. Wild As The Wind
30. Walkaway Joe
31. Piano Man
21-25, 30-31 acoustic; 26-28 full band; 29 acapella

Garth Brooks Two Pina Coladas

Two Weeks off Work

Garth Brooks Nashville 2010

Garth Brooks The Dance Nashville

When legends like Reba come to your concert as a
fan you are doing something right. Garth Brooks has
exceeded all expectations, not only has he blown away the country music community again, but he has shown himself as a true innovator. 

The critics have been well and truly silenced, after these nine concerts, Garth can go back him to his children and think about what he is going to bring us in 2014, he will still do the odd weekend, just him and his guitar in small therate,that audience will still be wowed, while the music world will be waiting a new album that will come in 2014.

What will be bring, time will tell, but one thing for certain,
the ride will be worth waiting for.

I cannot wait!

Garth Brooks Anit Going Down Till the Sun Comes Up

Again Garth proving there is no entertainer like him. This
clip is from his charity concert in Nashville.

Nona Sivley Wins Hell's Kitchen

Nona Sivley has won the latest series of Hell's Kitchen.
In the final she beat the egotistical bully Russell Kook who
couldn't control his temper or his team of Chefs, and then
showed the world what a classless act he was by saying,
"I didn't lose it, my team lost it for me"

Chef Gordon Ramsay made the right decision, thruout
the series, Nona Sivley who improved with any service
during this season, showed her class thruout by never
bagging any chefs, always take the blame for her mistakes
and most important of all, she had an amazing Palette.

What people liked about her is, it didnt seem she wanted
a career in reality television, she wanted a job, and she
wanted to be the best.

Ramsay has got it right, and the owners of the LA market
restaurant have a winner Nona, Im guessing there is going
to be some Michelin stars coming her way.

Time will tell.

Why Do Bloggers Call themselves Writers?

I was going to call the title of this post, Bloggers versus writers,
but the main point of this post is not to comment on any sort of
war between internet bloggers and actual writers, it's really to
comment on the incestuous relationship some journalists have
with the blogging community and how it borders on manipulation.

First off it's my viewer that a writer is actually someone who has
been published by the legitimate print media, a publishing company,
has written work available to purchase whether it be fiction or nonfiction.

I could call myself a basketballer but unless Im on team, going thru
bloody nose lane everynight, it would probably be a lie to do so.
I would never call myself a writer, just like I'm sure there wouldn't
be waiters or waiteress who really call themselves actors or actresses.

Anyone who watches the brilliant family guy, would love the countless
comments Stewie gives to Brian on the subject.

Here is my huge problem with whats happening over the past
18 or so months, the mainstream media has been calling bloggers
writers, imho this leads to a false impression by the reader that
what you are reading has been written by someone with years
of Journalist experience.

The mainstream media has a repsonibility to inform the reader that
who they are quoting is actually a blogger and not a writer, this
hasn't been happening over the past two years.

Infact, with the MSM now all over the internet, these
Journalists have built up a relationship with bloggers and unless
they make this clear to the reader its leads to the worst case
of Journlaism possible, quoting people you know, that have your
point of view but quoting them as if they are in
a position of authority and in the know.

There have been cases, where the same Journalist has
quoted the same person on  numerous occasions, starting out
calling them a Blogger, then all of a sudden this person they are
quoting is now called a writer.

I'm guessing this gives the Journalist's arctile more credence
and the blogger more attention, this is so wrong in my opinion.


I think if your going to be a legitimate Journalist you have
to separate yourself from the blogging community you also
must let your reader know that the person your qouting is
a genuine writer, Journalist or a blogger, hopefully one day this will happen.

I ain't holding my breath though.

Senate Repeals Dont ask Dont Tell

The USA Senate has repealed the bigoted
law "Don't Ask Don't tell, which had stated that gay
people couldn't serve openly in the military. As the
Huffington post stated this is Historic and is another huge
step for dignity for all people.

The law passed easily 65-31, and now awaits the signature
of President Obama.

In just two years in Office, President Obama has changed
the health care system in the USA and now the military.


You can say what you like about all his other policies or
disagree with his changes, but with Dont ask Dont tell being
repealed he has bought Change and that is what he
set out to do.

Hats off him for that.

Garth Brooks Two of a Kind Nashville

Surly Garth Brooks is one of a kind working on becoming a legend
in music. To comeback and to do an arena show like this, to still
have the magic, after being away for so long is special.

This show was nothing like the Wynn, which is unique and special
in itself, storytelling just one man and his guitar, this is a full show,
the band, the crowd, not only did he pull it off, but he took it further,
Garth Brooks has lost none of his ability to draw you in.

According to fans and critics from all genres off the music,
this was Garth Brooks telling the world, that he still has it, that
he is revelant to the music business, that basically he still is the
800 pound Gorilla of the music world and when he decides, to
come out of retirement in 2014, he will totally dominate the music
scene across all genres.

It couldn't happen to a nicer artist. These shows have raised $5
Million for the flood victims, his charity work since he has retired
has raised close to $100 million, he has kept his promise to his
daughters to be a stay at home dad, until the youngest leaves
home and goes off to college, he hasnt invited reality tv cameras
to film his daughters, he has kept them out of the spot light.

I am so proud of Garth, that these shows have not only
showed him as a musical genuis, but now there can be
no argument, he is truly a Legend of Country music and
will go down in music history as not only one of the greats
of country music, but one of the greats of any genre.

Thanks, Garth.

Unanswered Prayers

Garth Brooks classic Nashville 2010.

Garth Brooks The Thunder Rolls Nashville Concert

Garth Brooks singing The thunder rolls from his Nashville concert
to raise money for the flood victims.

Garth Brooks Nashville Concerts to Raise Million

Every cent of the run of the nine concerts by Garth Brooks
goes to the victims of the terrible floods in Nashville.
Garth's friends in Lows places will now have some hope.

Garth Brooks Nashville Concert

Glad to see people loved his show, the critics have
also been very kind from Billboard magazine,
Rollingstone magazine, ABC News to the
country media , Nashville scene, CMT and The Boot.

Not only did they call the show a roaring good
time, but went on to say Garth still has pulling power.

Was their any doubt?  It shows the measure of the
talent of the man, that even though he has been semi
retired since 2001, he can still either do a VH1
storytellers type  show but also an arena concert.

Roll on 2014, they year Garth's youngest daughter
leaves for College and the year he is suppose to come
out of retirement fully for a tour and a new studio album.

The clip is the opening of the show and a line or two
from Rodeo, I didnt take the video but it appeared on youtube.

Bullies on the Internet and in Life

Never ceases to amaze me, how bullies aren't self aware.

The Bullies who bullied Phoebe Prince were aware
of their actions for sure, and hopefully they will finally
have to accept responsibility for what they did.
The bullies at my school decades ago were also
aware of their bullying of a fellow student.

Then  there was two guys I worked with in the fast
food industry. One was aware of what he was
doing, the other thought we were the bullies and a bunch of
smart asses.

There's the bully type who goes into stores, and go
off at the shop assistant they deemed have done them wrong.

Then theres the internet bully, there was one guy in the
early days of usenet who started off everything sentence
speaking in the third person, and would LOL at all other
poster's thickness.

Then there is the coward type bully who needs
support of a group, this is the bully who isnt
selfaware, this is the bully who screams F you and F
this, and calls everybody else name's and calls it standing
up for themselves.

They use the usual bully tactics of accusing
people of their behavior,they shout out troll among
others things.

They use the usual bullets, by calling someone
a racist, a bad spelling and go on to tell them they
just don't get it.

Case in point, I was accused of being a troll on a
blog, by fans of this certain blogger, I was told I was
a bully and I just came there for a reaction.

I found this quite strange because my first interaction on the
net with this blogger was when I posted on fairfax's stuff.co.nz
blog, and for some reason, they felt the need to tell me, dont
post here anyomore, even they had nothing to do with
the blog, (The great Simon Sweetman's blog by the way)

My next interaction with this person was when they
came to my blog and told me they wanted links to
actual quotes.

I came across their blog by accident, thru the brilliant
The hand Mirror, but that didnt stop people on this blog
accusing me of being a troll.

So I have made a decision, to stop going to blogs
where the following happens.

The Spelling Police.
The Grammar Police.
The "Your a Racist type Poster"
Name calling.
Extreme Profanity.
Regular contributors who gang up on anyone who questions the blog
owner.

I think I will be a much happy person if I do this.

Don't Ask Don't Tell

Well done to the House of Representatives for Repealing
the don't ask, don't tell law. It's a great day for Gay Rights in
America and a great day for Human Rights.

When President Obama came into Office he said there would be
change and change there is.

Two major changes has happen, Health Care and now Dont ask, dont
tell, I wonder what his third policy will be??

Time will tell.

Qatar Bans Gays from 2022 World Cup

What were FIFA thinking?

Not only did they give the world cup to a Nation that
has never shown an interest in Football, but that Nation
Qatar has now asked people not to have gay sex during it.

In other words, no gay people allowed,  how could FIFA
get it so wrong, surly they did thier research and knew that
being Gay in Qatar carries a five year jail sentence, but that
didn't stop them in giving Qatar sport's biggest prize.

What has left a sour taste in people's mouths  is the
most corrupt man in World sport, Sepp Blatter, giving
a speech today.

Did he condemn Qatar's homophobic stance?, was Sepp
outraged??, Did Mr Blatter suggest FIFA could change
thier mind?

No, he supported Qatar's decision  and actually ask people
going to the 2022 world cup to refrain from having gay sex.

Is he Fred Phelps in disguise? What a pathetic bigoted  corrupt
human being  Blatter is and what a insult to all football
loving people world wide, I only hope that the stars of world
footballer, speak out against this.

Perhaps Bruno can be of assistance.

Let's hope that sanity prevails and the bigots get kick out of
world football.

I anit holding my breath.

Garth Brooks to Discuss Itunes with Paul McCartney

I didn't upload this video, its not great quality, but
Garth Brooks discusses with Larry King his views
on Itunes, very interesting indeed, it seems he may
change this thoughts when and if he has a discussion
with Paul McCartney.

The Hypocrisy of Feminism

It never ceases to amaze me, the hypocrisy of feminist bloggers
in New Zealand. For the past few years bloggers on the site
"The Hand Mirror" have been and rightly so standing up for
Woman's rights in the work place and society and in everyday
life, it doesnt matter if it's religion, the school system, business,
television, radio or print media, the bloggers on the Hand Mirror
have been vocal and unforgiving when it comes to sexists practices
by ever sector on earth, except Maori sexism.

For some reason, these so called Feminists who rip
into anyone or group, have no problem with the
Maori culture telling a woman to shut up and sit at the
back because only men are allowed to talk.

I have read many interesting posts at the Hand
Mirror and  at Boganette about how they will not
any more put up with sexist crap from advertisers from
the media from religious groups from the Police from
everyday people, but when they are told they have
to sit in the back of Maree or cant go to see a
Maori statue, the comments are "Many Interesting
Issues to Discuss" or "Im looking forward to hearing
other Opinions"

So why do Feminists in New Zealand forgive
vulgar sexist practices when it comes to Culture
and not Religion?

I personally think thier  ideology outweighs their
views on woman's rights. They don't feel right as
pakeha woman to tell Maori that their culture is
sexist.

I think that is wrong, just because something is
culture doesn't make it right. You can not yell abuse at
society and then just shrug your shoulders and give
culture a free pass.

It's Hypocrisy at it's worst and doesn't help the cause of woman at
all.

Welcome to New Zealand Feminism 101.

Blackcaps Thrased

Is this the new low? Has the Blackcaps finally reached the bottom
of the barrel, or can we go lower. India today beat the blackcaps
by eight wickets, after we were bundled out for 103.

Nothing can be said about the most pathetic team in world cricket.
I thought the drunken Fleming years were bad, but this believe it
or not was worse. One of the main problems as I see it, is this
team has two many friends in the media, blaming the same old
factors, and again Simon Doull's whipping boy is sport science.

Well the problem is not sport science, but the lack of it. This team
still has players that are chain smokers and heavy drinkers, name me
one proffesional sports team on the planet this decade
that the majority of the players drink and smoke, I dont think you can.

Congrats have to be given to the Indian cricket team,
always proffesional, always beautiful to watch, if
only the blackcaps took notice, but they are
too busy drinking and smoking to worry about cricket.

Ricki Herbert to Appeal, NZRFU controls Phoenix Coverage?

Fans are being  urged  to show support for the Wellington Phoenix
coach by wearing a Ricki Herbert mask for the next three games.

Rick who has been banned for three weeks,
(a long time for a coach) for verbally abusing a ref, in
what has to be the worst desicion in a long for the
A League.

Here's hoping there will be ten thousand Rick Herbert's
in attendance. Wellington will appeal the ban, but it's unlikely
it will be overturn, time will tell.

My final thoughts on the game, and this
came to me following the forum, the yellow fever,
was why did Sky Sport NOT show the yellow fever
supporters when the goal got scored, they instead
focus on some little kids.

IMHO the answer is sinister, I firmly believe this has the
finger prints of the NZRFU who is instructing the media to
try and make Football among several other sports look less
exciting by focusing on the less excited people in the crowd.

It may be a bizzare conspiracy therory, but I have seen
it happen  too many times thruout the years to think
it's just poor camerawork.

Someone is behind this, and someone wants
it to happen, so why not the NZRFU?

Just my thoughts.

Ben Sigmund Scores Last Second Thriller

The Local boy comes good.

Ben Sigmund gave the good people of Christchurch, another
sporting highlight and Christchurch wasn't even playing.

The Wellington Phoenix took their home against Adelaide to
the South Island and 14 thousand people showed up to what
must of been the match of season.

Local Christchurch boy Ben Sigmund sent the crowd into a frenzy,
with last ten seconds left of injury headed the ball into
the goal.

After attack after attack, which the Phoenix should of
scored, all look lost, until the Phoenix were awarded
a corner and there the magic happen.

Here's hopping Terry will take his team to the South
Island more often and here's hoping for more once in
a life finishes that we had on Sunday.

My fingers are crossed.

Time will tell.

It's Qatar

Holy Cow, the World Cup is going to Qatar in 2022.

Who would of thought it, that a country that has
temps of 46 degrees Celsius, a country that wont
allow alcohol, a country that has never shown a love
for the wonderful sport of soccer.

A country that wont allow Israel to come if they qualify
a country that has banned meat, a country that is smaller
than a New Zealand lake, a country that is in a trouble spot
of the world, a country that was suppose to finish last in the
voting, a country that doesnt allow woman to play sport, a country
that doesn't allow woman to drive or vote.

A country that now has won the rights to host the 2022
world cup.

I hope your enjoying your new car and all those hookers and
gifts Mr Blatter, you have once again sold not only your soul
but the soul of the beautiful game.

To the peaceful people of Qatar, enjoy the cup, but please
let anyone come, regardless of their gender or religion or
politics.

My Poor Cardinals

I think we need a calm quarterback.