I scored some more free tickets from Radio Sport. This time for the Tall Blacks vs Boomers (New Zealand vs Australia in old money) basketball international at the North Shore Events Centre.
It was my first ever live bball game and it was pretty interesting. I had no idea how much elbowing and shoving people over went on. Netball it aint.
There were quite a few other things going on to entertain us when the game was on of it's many breaks. Such as an entertaining 4-4 draw between to U13 girl sides shooting at hoops that 7 footers have to jump to reach. Some guy had a free throw for $1000. He rimmed it but netted the rebound from further out for no reward. Unlucky.
There was also a half time presentation for recently retired Tall Black Dylan Boucher. Although the PA system wasn't quite up to scratch as Jo thought some random guy was being given a dinner voucher.
We left before the end to beat the traffic and the aussies were so far ahead it didn't really matter.
If I can get the picture from my phone to here I'll show you one of the best mullets I've ever seen in person. Hicktastic.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Weather...
Weird weather recently, which I'm still not used to... Dark, dirty storm clouds for as far as the eye can see so I take shelter in my truck. Then, 10 minutes later bright blues skies and warm sunshine. By the time I got home later in the day, a giant (20 second long) hail storm struck before more glorious sunshine. Crazy.
When the weather isn't as buck wild as this I have to find other ways of entertaining myself when working. One is to try and get texts read out on radio sport. I've not had much luck lately, they don't seem that interested in my pro-English sport ramblings, until today. The subject was great sporting family dynasties. Here's one especially for my mum...
CLICK HERE
Nice bit of editing if I do say so myself. Apologies for the sound quality - that's what they put on their website.
I could talk about the rugby at Eden Park the other week but the NZ Herald says it all really. Even if they do say it like a drunk pom hater in the pub with his mates.
The planned big night out didn't go that well either. A few of us congregated at Will and Jiah's place for the AGM of the Eden Stallions (done for purposes of gaining sponsorship money) where I managed to lobby successfully for president. Sweet. I say AGM, but that lasted about 2 minutes. The rest of the time was spent on Guitar Hero and drinking our way through an epic table tennis tournament.
We got to the pub near the ground about an hour before kick off but the queue was massive so a bit of street drinking took place before getting to the game. The game was a bit of a blur. A packed house, but not the atmosphere of the Twenty20 game and a poor result. Afterwards the original group of 13 got broken up and Jo, I, Dave and Sonya were the only ones who made it to town. Sonya didn't make it much further though and the night came to a close.
Sport over the last 8 or 9 days didn't get much better. England were saved by the rain at the cricket, then imploded to gift the Black Caps their first win. I predicted wins for Portugal, Croatia, Holland and Italy in the Euro quarters and got 0/4. Good work! Now my Italian brothers are out I think I want ......... to win. I have no answer to that question. The worse thing has been that England weren't in it.
Then the rugby team got beat again.
In my lifetime there's only been a few spells of enjoyment for me as an English sports fan. Italia 90 - brilliant, but ended in tears. Euro 96 - best time of my life, then ended in tears. Ashes 05 - longest sustained period of joy for me as an English sports fan and at least we won, but been crying ever since.
It almost makes me want to give up and become a yank. They invented sports as we did. But they were clever about it, unlike us they kept the sports to themselves and called winning teams the world champions. They can never lose! Genius.
When the weather isn't as buck wild as this I have to find other ways of entertaining myself when working. One is to try and get texts read out on radio sport. I've not had much luck lately, they don't seem that interested in my pro-English sport ramblings, until today. The subject was great sporting family dynasties. Here's one especially for my mum...
CLICK HERE
Nice bit of editing if I do say so myself. Apologies for the sound quality - that's what they put on their website.
I could talk about the rugby at Eden Park the other week but the NZ Herald says it all really. Even if they do say it like a drunk pom hater in the pub with his mates.
The planned big night out didn't go that well either. A few of us congregated at Will and Jiah's place for the AGM of the Eden Stallions (done for purposes of gaining sponsorship money) where I managed to lobby successfully for president. Sweet. I say AGM, but that lasted about 2 minutes. The rest of the time was spent on Guitar Hero and drinking our way through an epic table tennis tournament.
We got to the pub near the ground about an hour before kick off but the queue was massive so a bit of street drinking took place before getting to the game. The game was a bit of a blur. A packed house, but not the atmosphere of the Twenty20 game and a poor result. Afterwards the original group of 13 got broken up and Jo, I, Dave and Sonya were the only ones who made it to town. Sonya didn't make it much further though and the night came to a close.
Sport over the last 8 or 9 days didn't get much better. England were saved by the rain at the cricket, then imploded to gift the Black Caps their first win. I predicted wins for Portugal, Croatia, Holland and Italy in the Euro quarters and got 0/4. Good work! Now my Italian brothers are out I think I want ......... to win. I have no answer to that question. The worse thing has been that England weren't in it.
Then the rugby team got beat again.
In my lifetime there's only been a few spells of enjoyment for me as an English sports fan. Italia 90 - brilliant, but ended in tears. Euro 96 - best time of my life, then ended in tears. Ashes 05 - longest sustained period of joy for me as an English sports fan and at least we won, but been crying ever since.
It almost makes me want to give up and become a yank. They invented sports as we did. But they were clever about it, unlike us they kept the sports to themselves and called winning teams the world champions. They can never lose! Genius.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
From the birthday weekend of one England's best loved characters here in NZ to another - mine! 29 again and I don't look a day older.
As I've previously hinted at, there will be a major booze up in celebration next weekend with the focal point being the rugby test between NZ and England. There are 13 of us going with only 3 being poms so we'll have to go some to outshout them.
This weekend has been fairly quiet. Jo lavished me with plenty of gifts, including several items from the english shop (mmm dandelion & burdock...). The main gift being a new phone. I've had my other one since my first week in the country and, like my camera, has been through the mill somewhat. Including being dropped more times than Graeme Hick (or Matthew Sinclair depending on which country you're reading this). Finally, it's been consigned to the draw of other shitnaks that will get moved around from place to place till I eventually decide I don't need to keep it in about 10 years time. The big shock for me is that it's my first non-Nokia so my texting speed has dropped right off. In fact, I'm so slow my mum could probably beat me in a text-off. Grate. (In-joke).
And so back to work tomorrow after a relaxing birthday weekend. I think I've pushed the "you cook tonight, it's my birthday" privileges about as far as I can. Although, those who witnessed me drag out my leaving do(s) over several months will probably not be too surprised if Jo gets subjected to that for the rest of the week.
Finally, for those who witnessed mine and Millhouse's sporting war on the comments a couple of posts ago, don't worry, it's been put to bed. I killed him. Gartside knows best.
As I've previously hinted at, there will be a major booze up in celebration next weekend with the focal point being the rugby test between NZ and England. There are 13 of us going with only 3 being poms so we'll have to go some to outshout them.
This weekend has been fairly quiet. Jo lavished me with plenty of gifts, including several items from the english shop (mmm dandelion & burdock...). The main gift being a new phone. I've had my other one since my first week in the country and, like my camera, has been through the mill somewhat. Including being dropped more times than Graeme Hick (or Matthew Sinclair depending on which country you're reading this). Finally, it's been consigned to the draw of other shitnaks that will get moved around from place to place till I eventually decide I don't need to keep it in about 10 years time. The big shock for me is that it's my first non-Nokia so my texting speed has dropped right off. In fact, I'm so slow my mum could probably beat me in a text-off. Grate. (In-joke).
And so back to work tomorrow after a relaxing birthday weekend. I think I've pushed the "you cook tonight, it's my birthday" privileges about as far as I can. Although, those who witnessed me drag out my leaving do(s) over several months will probably not be too surprised if Jo gets subjected to that for the rest of the week.
Finally, for those who witnessed mine and Millhouse's sporting war on the comments a couple of posts ago, don't worry, it's been put to bed. I killed him. Gartside knows best.
Monday, June 02, 2008
I'm a streamer...
It's Queen's birthday weekend. I don't think that means a great deal in England but here in NZ old queenie grants us a day off work to partake in the celebrations. There are street parties, bunting and Vera Lynn on the wireless. Or maybe no one cares and just puts their feet up and watches Rachel Ray.
We've been living here in Browns Bay for a couple of weeks now and the loss of sky sports hasn't hit me as hard as I expected. I've managed to find just about every sporting event I want to watch streamed on the internet and I'm currently watching England 'B' sweep aside the plucky Trindad & Tabogganists. I even prefer the US channel, Wheels TV, coverage of the Formula 1.
I also live a lot closer to the English Shop here in Browns Bay. I met Jo for lunch the other day and was very cosmopolitan in choosing sushi. However, I followed it up with a Lion bar and washed it down with a can of Tizer. Just for old times sake. I presume they've taken all the good stuff out of Tizer (sugar, additives, red dye) as it wasn't quite as nice.
Another good local attraction is the British Isles Pub. It's a mere one minute walk away and has all manner of english paraphernalia on the walls. And, obviously, a giant South African flag on the ceiling. In the quiz on Tuesday Jo, I, Rob and Mia finished a creditable 6th out of 13. We had food too which was outstanding. I had the beef and vegetable lasagna which was probably the best I've had in NZ and it came with a salad served in a popadum! Unorthodox but delicious.
There has been a lack of posts, mainly due to lack of exciting things I've done but watch this space... It's my birthday soon and there'll be a big night out taking in the All Blacks vs England rugby test at Eden Park. Swing lowwww.............. and so forth.
We've been living here in Browns Bay for a couple of weeks now and the loss of sky sports hasn't hit me as hard as I expected. I've managed to find just about every sporting event I want to watch streamed on the internet and I'm currently watching England 'B' sweep aside the plucky Trindad & Tabogganists. I even prefer the US channel, Wheels TV, coverage of the Formula 1.
I also live a lot closer to the English Shop here in Browns Bay. I met Jo for lunch the other day and was very cosmopolitan in choosing sushi. However, I followed it up with a Lion bar and washed it down with a can of Tizer. Just for old times sake. I presume they've taken all the good stuff out of Tizer (sugar, additives, red dye) as it wasn't quite as nice.
Another good local attraction is the British Isles Pub. It's a mere one minute walk away and has all manner of english paraphernalia on the walls. And, obviously, a giant South African flag on the ceiling. In the quiz on Tuesday Jo, I, Rob and Mia finished a creditable 6th out of 13. We had food too which was outstanding. I had the beef and vegetable lasagna which was probably the best I've had in NZ and it came with a salad served in a popadum! Unorthodox but delicious.
There has been a lack of posts, mainly due to lack of exciting things I've done but watch this space... It's my birthday soon and there'll be a big night out taking in the All Blacks vs England rugby test at Eden Park. Swing lowwww.............. and so forth.
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