Well I had my first match of Football (that is soccer for the Americans and some Aussies) on Saturday. The team I played for were struggling for players so the call came out for me to help them.
We only had 11 players because a number of players were out due to suspension, injury and other plans (they had better things to do!!). This was of course the worse timing as we were playing the top team, we were 2nd so it was a top of the table clash.
The pitch was poor and very muddy – so perfect for me as it took the skill away from some of the quicker players. While that was one advantage my lack of fitness would be the killer for me.
Anyway, we lost 5-0. We did well and came into half time down 1-0 after they scored 10 seconds before half time. But unfortunately our keeper made a stuff up and that 2nd goal deflated the team. They scored another 2 goals within 5 minutes and a final goal later in the match.
Not that I am blaming the keeper for the score line. He had a sensational match and made a lot of more saves. Unfortunately we did not have the fitness and substitutes to play and entire match.
It was a bummer as it was my first competitive match in nearly a year. I was not expected to play more than a few minutes during a season as I was more the manager but there are times, DESPERATE, times where I am called upon.
The result of all this action, very sore muscles and tired body. Look forward for the next match.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Monday, December 05, 2005
Friday Night Flicks
On Friday night Metria and I caught Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire at the cinemas. Like the Episode 3 showing this movie was full of fans, a majority of them being under 12 and with their parents.
Before seeing the movie we experienced interactive cinema.
It should be noted that we were probably in the 28th minute of the advertising before the previews and movie began. Some guy was saying “get on with it” just as this add showing a man and women was being screened. He started making more and louder noise. We bought thought some guy was being agitated and were like “right on brother, I hear you as well”. But we stayed quiet as people do.
Then the screen cut to a shot of the camera crew and then the guy and crew started having a chat. We eventually found out this was an ad for a local Melbourne University. Smart.
When the movie started, it was greeted by high pitched screams and clapping, similar to Episode 3. I could not help but smile!! People love the escapism that fantasy movies bring.
I enjoyed the movie and felt that it was a very good representation of the book. Not too many parts were missed out and it covered all the important parts. The effects were spectacular especially the scenes when Harry was flying with the dragon during the first of the Triwizard events.
The part of the movie from this scene until the ball was pretty funny and after that I felt the movie paced along a bit slow. This was probably due to the fact I was waiting for the end scenes when Harry meets Voldermort.
However, during the second half of the movie I noticed the number of people that were moving out of the cinemas and back again. I guess with the crowd containing a healthy proportion of under 12’s, the 2 and a half hour movie can be a problem.
Of the actors, the guy that plays Ron is talented with an ability to act daft in a funny way. Metria thought the fella that played Cedric was cute. The guy who played Viktor Krum looked about 25 and way too old but oh well. Lastly, the actor playing Cho Chang had a Scottish accent which I found funny. Of course, the Indians were represented a bit more with Harry and Ron going on dates with the Patil sisters (I can imagine the Patil clan’s are proud)
Overall, I was very satisfied with HP4 and look forward for the 5th movie. But of course we await the 7th and final book as well. What will happen in the 7th installment? Will anyone else die?
Before seeing the movie we experienced interactive cinema.
It should be noted that we were probably in the 28th minute of the advertising before the previews and movie began. Some guy was saying “get on with it” just as this add showing a man and women was being screened. He started making more and louder noise. We bought thought some guy was being agitated and were like “right on brother, I hear you as well”. But we stayed quiet as people do.
Then the screen cut to a shot of the camera crew and then the guy and crew started having a chat. We eventually found out this was an ad for a local Melbourne University. Smart.
When the movie started, it was greeted by high pitched screams and clapping, similar to Episode 3. I could not help but smile!! People love the escapism that fantasy movies bring.
I enjoyed the movie and felt that it was a very good representation of the book. Not too many parts were missed out and it covered all the important parts. The effects were spectacular especially the scenes when Harry was flying with the dragon during the first of the Triwizard events.
The part of the movie from this scene until the ball was pretty funny and after that I felt the movie paced along a bit slow. This was probably due to the fact I was waiting for the end scenes when Harry meets Voldermort.
However, during the second half of the movie I noticed the number of people that were moving out of the cinemas and back again. I guess with the crowd containing a healthy proportion of under 12’s, the 2 and a half hour movie can be a problem.
Of the actors, the guy that plays Ron is talented with an ability to act daft in a funny way. Metria thought the fella that played Cedric was cute. The guy who played Viktor Krum looked about 25 and way too old but oh well. Lastly, the actor playing Cho Chang had a Scottish accent which I found funny. Of course, the Indians were represented a bit more with Harry and Ron going on dates with the Patil sisters (I can imagine the Patil clan’s are proud)
Overall, I was very satisfied with HP4 and look forward for the 5th movie. But of course we await the 7th and final book as well. What will happen in the 7th installment? Will anyone else die?
Friday, December 02, 2005
Execution
By now Hguyen Tunong Van has been executed in Singapore. Obviously the execution has been the hot topic here on Oz telly with the commercial TV stations engaging live telecasts outside Changi Prison.
Of course they are not showing the execution but in the attempt to capture the atmosphere of groups and people that have congregated at the prison. This is quite macabre given that at this time they show children programs.
As you are aware, I feel sad for his mother more that family and friends.
In reality, the amount of heroin he was carrying is equivalent to nearly 26,000 hits and worth over $1.3m. And we all know drugs ruin and can even end lives. If I were to break it down, of those 26,000 there could be a number of people that could be victims or crime to get money to buy drugs. Also there may be a very small percentage of users who OD and then die.
Thus one could argue that the penalty fit the crime.
However, Van Hguyen was in transit at the airport in Singapore. He was not going to stop there and was actually on his way to Australia. Well this is the claim. So really, was the Singaporean Government justified in handing out such a harsh sentence? I am sure that was argued and my personal opinion he should have been arrested in Australia.
But that is to no avail anymore, he has been executed and now its time to let his family mourn his death.
Yet I think there is a more sinister motive by the Australian Government and their stand on drugs in this country.
Johnny and his boys are trying to make it very unappealing to traffickers to carry drugs and act as mules. Look at the Bali 9 case, these people were carrying drugs into Australia but were stopped before leaving. Now they will all be shot. It’s hard to deny carrying the drugs when they are strapped to your body.
So they let drug traffickers get caught going to Australia but having to stop in Country’s with the death penalty. This then sends a strong message to people considering the opportunity to bring drugs here that they will be caught and possibly die.
So does this mean Nguyen Tuong Van can be seen as a dark hero, doing what was needed to do, to justify the fight against drugs?
And again, people are not focussing on the fact that he acted as a mule to pay of the debts of his brother. So should the focus now be on the people who made him act a s a mule. Really they are the cause. They are the head and they need to be cut off.
If you were desperate for money or had to save your life or someone else’s life, would you act as a drug mule?
Of course they are not showing the execution but in the attempt to capture the atmosphere of groups and people that have congregated at the prison. This is quite macabre given that at this time they show children programs.
As you are aware, I feel sad for his mother more that family and friends.
In reality, the amount of heroin he was carrying is equivalent to nearly 26,000 hits and worth over $1.3m. And we all know drugs ruin and can even end lives. If I were to break it down, of those 26,000 there could be a number of people that could be victims or crime to get money to buy drugs. Also there may be a very small percentage of users who OD and then die.
Thus one could argue that the penalty fit the crime.
However, Van Hguyen was in transit at the airport in Singapore. He was not going to stop there and was actually on his way to Australia. Well this is the claim. So really, was the Singaporean Government justified in handing out such a harsh sentence? I am sure that was argued and my personal opinion he should have been arrested in Australia.
But that is to no avail anymore, he has been executed and now its time to let his family mourn his death.
Yet I think there is a more sinister motive by the Australian Government and their stand on drugs in this country.
Johnny and his boys are trying to make it very unappealing to traffickers to carry drugs and act as mules. Look at the Bali 9 case, these people were carrying drugs into Australia but were stopped before leaving. Now they will all be shot. It’s hard to deny carrying the drugs when they are strapped to your body.
So they let drug traffickers get caught going to Australia but having to stop in Country’s with the death penalty. This then sends a strong message to people considering the opportunity to bring drugs here that they will be caught and possibly die.
So does this mean Nguyen Tuong Van can be seen as a dark hero, doing what was needed to do, to justify the fight against drugs?
And again, people are not focussing on the fact that he acted as a mule to pay of the debts of his brother. So should the focus now be on the people who made him act a s a mule. Really they are the cause. They are the head and they need to be cut off.
If you were desperate for money or had to save your life or someone else’s life, would you act as a drug mule?
Thursday, November 24, 2005
There has been a lot of media coverage about the impending execution of Nguyen Trong Van, an Australian citizen, is about to be hanged.
When reading the articles and seeing the coverage I experience a number of emotions about this episode:
When I first heard about the case I did not really feel a lot of anything about the case. I thought "well he took the drugs and got caught so he deserves what he got". After all a lot of people here in Oz know what the penalty is for trafficking drugs in south east asia. After all we have had a lot of coverage of Schapell Corby, the Bali 9 and Michele Leslie.
You understand the impct of say 500g of heroin can have on society in terms of how many people it effects. You thinki to yourself, this is a good deterent and why doesn't Australia get tougher laws for drug traffickers.
I am not condoning or in agreement to the death penalty but maybe being bit harsher with more than a few months of jail time is warranted in these cases.
However, after delving into the finer details and being forcefed by the media I feel a sense of sorrow in this instance.
I have a great amount of symphaty for his mum. Imagine the last chance you had of seeing your chile or a loved one was of him/her in a prison. Moreso, you could not touch or console that person as you were separated by a piece of glass. All you could go was put your hand on this cold piece of glass and your loved one do the same, but never touching.
As a human, you can not help to feel this is a form of cruelty, not to the criminal but moreso to people who care for them.
However the crux of the story was he was arrested in the airport while in transit. Plus he was carrying the drugs to pay of the debts that his brother had made. By doing something for his family he will lose his life.
Imagine how his brother feels?
I also have a sense of resentment for the Singaporean government. A date of the execution was set and the Singaporean government did not inform the Australian government to advise of the date. The date was communicated by a letter sent to the mother. Considering that officials here had made a few calls calling for clemency, this should have been handled a lot better.
Knowing a number of Singaporeans and having spent some time in there, this reflects badly and incorrectly on the people and here the usual idiots are calling for Aussies to boycott anything associated with this country.
However, ultimately Singapore is not a state of Australia so they have set the rules. People may not agree with them but thats probably why they are living here in Australia. I am not having a go at Singapore, it can be a bit stale and the beer is watered down but they have the right to set the rules there, not us.
I feel sorry for the family who have had to deal with the ordeal.
When reading the articles and seeing the coverage I experience a number of emotions about this episode:
When I first heard about the case I did not really feel a lot of anything about the case. I thought "well he took the drugs and got caught so he deserves what he got". After all a lot of people here in Oz know what the penalty is for trafficking drugs in south east asia. After all we have had a lot of coverage of Schapell Corby, the Bali 9 and Michele Leslie.
You understand the impct of say 500g of heroin can have on society in terms of how many people it effects. You thinki to yourself, this is a good deterent and why doesn't Australia get tougher laws for drug traffickers.
I am not condoning or in agreement to the death penalty but maybe being bit harsher with more than a few months of jail time is warranted in these cases.
However, after delving into the finer details and being forcefed by the media I feel a sense of sorrow in this instance.
I have a great amount of symphaty for his mum. Imagine the last chance you had of seeing your chile or a loved one was of him/her in a prison. Moreso, you could not touch or console that person as you were separated by a piece of glass. All you could go was put your hand on this cold piece of glass and your loved one do the same, but never touching.
As a human, you can not help to feel this is a form of cruelty, not to the criminal but moreso to people who care for them.
However the crux of the story was he was arrested in the airport while in transit. Plus he was carrying the drugs to pay of the debts that his brother had made. By doing something for his family he will lose his life.
Imagine how his brother feels?
I also have a sense of resentment for the Singaporean government. A date of the execution was set and the Singaporean government did not inform the Australian government to advise of the date. The date was communicated by a letter sent to the mother. Considering that officials here had made a few calls calling for clemency, this should have been handled a lot better.
Knowing a number of Singaporeans and having spent some time in there, this reflects badly and incorrectly on the people and here the usual idiots are calling for Aussies to boycott anything associated with this country.
However, ultimately Singapore is not a state of Australia so they have set the rules. People may not agree with them but thats probably why they are living here in Australia. I am not having a go at Singapore, it can be a bit stale and the beer is watered down but they have the right to set the rules there, not us.
I feel sorry for the family who have had to deal with the ordeal.
Friday, November 18, 2005
We are going to the World Cup
It was a glorious feeling Wednesday night as the Australian Football team made it to the World Cup in 2006. After 31 years of non appearance and so many heartbreaking ties, the feeling that was felt by the whole of Oz land was unbelievable.
Myself, I was estactic and over the moon with joy, glee, happiness etc (all those words that are just good).
Prior to the match I was excited about the kick off but reserved given previous failures (refer to my last blog). I did not want to get too excited as I would be setting myself up for a fall, AGAIN! But I took the 50 minute drive in to the city to meet some mates.
A beer helped settle the nerves as the group attention in the pub focussed ont he telecast. However, the first 30 minutes of the match did not go to the game plan we envisaged.
Too many time the boys from down under looked unsure and U-R-GAY created a few opportunities to grab a goal and crush Australin hearts once more. There were 3 or 4 near times the Urugayans had shots at goal and hearts were set a flutter at these moments.
But after 30 minutes Harry Kewell came on and it changed the match. He added some creativity and flair and his impact was profound after just 4 minutes when he instigagted the play that set up the equalising goal.
The crowd at the statdium and the crew at the pub went balistic. We were scremaing, hugging and high fiving everyone. We got the equaliser and were back in the hunt.
The rest of the match flowed with emotions as both sides came oh so close to scoring a goal that would have changed the course of the game. Needless to say, I was on edge but sickingly, enjoying the sense of adrenalin that was developing in my body.
Australia dominated proceedings but could not score as we did not convert our chances. A lot of people felt that fate would cruelly grasp the chance to qualify into the world cup based on our previous history.
But after 120 minutes of play Oz Land won thematch 1-0 but the seriew was level 1-1. It was on to penalties.
After the emotion of watching Liverpool in Istanbul 5 months ago, I could not believe that the fate of my team was to be resolved like this once more.
One of my friends could not bear to watch and dug his face into my shoulder during the kicks. Myself I was holding on to my friends and looking upwards seeking divine intervention.
The crowd at the stadium, all 83,000 of them were going ballistic at being in this position. You could feel the urge for the Ozzies to get the win.
If a kick was converted by an Australian, it was met with a grear roar, when goal keeper Mark Swachzer made a save (he made 2) the crowd got louder. But the noise when John Aloisi converted his penalty was amazing. To be honest, I can not recall what happened at the stadium, all I remember was grabbing my 3 mates and screaming "WE WON".
We hugged each other, as men do when a great sporting moment occurs and flushed with alcohol but we hugged in a circle and danced screaming that we had finally made it to the world cup.
This moment was special because I was with 3 friends who felt the same desire, need and urge for Australia to win and make it to the world cup. And this is why the moment was special.
To Jes, Simmo and Victor - it was an amazing night!
Well done AUSTRALIA
Myself, I was estactic and over the moon with joy, glee, happiness etc (all those words that are just good).
Prior to the match I was excited about the kick off but reserved given previous failures (refer to my last blog). I did not want to get too excited as I would be setting myself up for a fall, AGAIN! But I took the 50 minute drive in to the city to meet some mates.
A beer helped settle the nerves as the group attention in the pub focussed ont he telecast. However, the first 30 minutes of the match did not go to the game plan we envisaged.
Too many time the boys from down under looked unsure and U-R-GAY created a few opportunities to grab a goal and crush Australin hearts once more. There were 3 or 4 near times the Urugayans had shots at goal and hearts were set a flutter at these moments.
But after 30 minutes Harry Kewell came on and it changed the match. He added some creativity and flair and his impact was profound after just 4 minutes when he instigagted the play that set up the equalising goal.
The crowd at the statdium and the crew at the pub went balistic. We were scremaing, hugging and high fiving everyone. We got the equaliser and were back in the hunt.
The rest of the match flowed with emotions as both sides came oh so close to scoring a goal that would have changed the course of the game. Needless to say, I was on edge but sickingly, enjoying the sense of adrenalin that was developing in my body.
Australia dominated proceedings but could not score as we did not convert our chances. A lot of people felt that fate would cruelly grasp the chance to qualify into the world cup based on our previous history.
But after 120 minutes of play Oz Land won thematch 1-0 but the seriew was level 1-1. It was on to penalties.
After the emotion of watching Liverpool in Istanbul 5 months ago, I could not believe that the fate of my team was to be resolved like this once more.
One of my friends could not bear to watch and dug his face into my shoulder during the kicks. Myself I was holding on to my friends and looking upwards seeking divine intervention.
The crowd at the stadium, all 83,000 of them were going ballistic at being in this position. You could feel the urge for the Ozzies to get the win.
If a kick was converted by an Australian, it was met with a grear roar, when goal keeper Mark Swachzer made a save (he made 2) the crowd got louder. But the noise when John Aloisi converted his penalty was amazing. To be honest, I can not recall what happened at the stadium, all I remember was grabbing my 3 mates and screaming "WE WON".
We hugged each other, as men do when a great sporting moment occurs and flushed with alcohol but we hugged in a circle and danced screaming that we had finally made it to the world cup.
This moment was special because I was with 3 friends who felt the same desire, need and urge for Australia to win and make it to the world cup. And this is why the moment was special.
To Jes, Simmo and Victor - it was an amazing night!
Well done AUSTRALIA
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
FootballROOS
Ever since the earlu 90's I developed a string taste for soccer or football, as it is now officially known as, I have go through this ritual every 4 years. Asutralia makes it to the final qualification round and when we look like we are close we get bumped out of being involved inthe World cup of football.
Of course the most painful of the 3 qualifications i recall was the one against Iran. Just mention 'The Iran Game" and people know what you are on about and the pain that was felt. For those that do not recall or knop of it, we drew 1-1 over in Iran and led 2-0 here with 15 miutes to go. We dominated the return leg and should have been 4/5 goals up! Then some opest runs on the pitch and pulls down the net, forcing the game to be delayed for about 10 minutes. Time that allowed Iran to refocus. The end result was they scored 2 goals in 5 minutes. packed the defence for 10 minutes and were through.
I was distraught and upset. So close.
There were dissapointments against Argentina in 1991 where a crappy own goal led to undoing and the last qualification games where we took a 1 goal lead to Uruguay and came back with a 3-0 loss and outta the finals.
Its that time of the 4 year cycle again. Again we play Uruguay and this time we have the final qualification game here in Australia. Is this the chance for redemption?
I pray it happens. This time it is Uruguay who come here with a 1 goal lead. but our chance to score a bag and qualify.
This is probably the best team we have put out on the pitch. We have quality strikers and attaking midfielders, things old aussie teams did not have. Our defenders are old and not a pacy but lets hope they do the job and nullify the Uruguayans.
Also its about time they are remande, no longer is the "Socceroos" a valid name, time for the "FootyRoos".
Wish I was in Sydney but I hope I feel the thrill of us qualifying in about 12 hours time.
GO FOOTYROOS!!!!
Of course the most painful of the 3 qualifications i recall was the one against Iran. Just mention 'The Iran Game" and people know what you are on about and the pain that was felt. For those that do not recall or knop of it, we drew 1-1 over in Iran and led 2-0 here with 15 miutes to go. We dominated the return leg and should have been 4/5 goals up! Then some opest runs on the pitch and pulls down the net, forcing the game to be delayed for about 10 minutes. Time that allowed Iran to refocus. The end result was they scored 2 goals in 5 minutes. packed the defence for 10 minutes and were through.
I was distraught and upset. So close.
There were dissapointments against Argentina in 1991 where a crappy own goal led to undoing and the last qualification games where we took a 1 goal lead to Uruguay and came back with a 3-0 loss and outta the finals.
Its that time of the 4 year cycle again. Again we play Uruguay and this time we have the final qualification game here in Australia. Is this the chance for redemption?
I pray it happens. This time it is Uruguay who come here with a 1 goal lead. but our chance to score a bag and qualify.
This is probably the best team we have put out on the pitch. We have quality strikers and attaking midfielders, things old aussie teams did not have. Our defenders are old and not a pacy but lets hope they do the job and nullify the Uruguayans.
Also its about time they are remande, no longer is the "Socceroos" a valid name, time for the "FootyRoos".
Wish I was in Sydney but I hope I feel the thrill of us qualifying in about 12 hours time.
GO FOOTYROOS!!!!
Monday, November 14, 2005
In and out of the laws
I know...I know..its been a very long time since I wrote here. Sorry been slack.
Talking about being slack, I believe that my in laws probably have a sense that I can be lazy at times. but really, the difference being slack and evaluating the need to do the work is dependent on the person.
No need to get into examples and relive the experience but I have a bit more of a clear idea of what needs to be done in the future.
About the in laws, when they came we showed them over Melbourne. We visited Mornington, the city, drove down Great Ocean Road to Lorne and of course had some fun in the Dandenong Mountains.
I personally enjoyed the MorningtonPeninsula area as we embarked on a wine tour and it was a gorgeous sunny day. The only drawback was we visited only 2 wineries rather that the 5 or so I envisaged. Still the wine tasting was fun and I got a buzz out of things. The best was I did not have to drive, Metria is not a drinker so she was the DD (designated driver).
The trip to Lorne was another highlight, and I do enjoy the vibe or Torquay. Ity can be a chilly day but the ocean views are worth it. Maybe I transfer to Geelong and commute the 30 minutes to Geelong? hmmmm.....
Now the in laws have departed and we are back to normality. But there are lots to do and no time to be slack.
Talking about being slack, I believe that my in laws probably have a sense that I can be lazy at times. but really, the difference being slack and evaluating the need to do the work is dependent on the person.
No need to get into examples and relive the experience but I have a bit more of a clear idea of what needs to be done in the future.
About the in laws, when they came we showed them over Melbourne. We visited Mornington, the city, drove down Great Ocean Road to Lorne and of course had some fun in the Dandenong Mountains.
I personally enjoyed the MorningtonPeninsula area as we embarked on a wine tour and it was a gorgeous sunny day. The only drawback was we visited only 2 wineries rather that the 5 or so I envisaged. Still the wine tasting was fun and I got a buzz out of things. The best was I did not have to drive, Metria is not a drinker so she was the DD (designated driver).
The trip to Lorne was another highlight, and I do enjoy the vibe or Torquay. Ity can be a chilly day but the ocean views are worth it. Maybe I transfer to Geelong and commute the 30 minutes to Geelong? hmmmm.....
Now the in laws have departed and we are back to normality. But there are lots to do and no time to be slack.
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