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Articles: 1, 2

The Gentleman's Game
2007-10-21 11:44:00
In England this morning there is much debate about "that try" - the Mark Cueto try that was, or wasn't, or might have been.What appears abundantly clear however, and is not being debated at all, is that in the last 3 weeks Rugby Union has done much to improve its standing amongst the English public.England's main two national sporting teams were both in action this week. The difference is that when the football team lost, they incurred a backlash of criticism about lack of passion and pride, going down without a fight to a Russian team they had previously beaten.The rugby team lost in the World Cup Final, and yet it would appear that English men and women are this morning puffing out their chests a little more with pride as a result of how the Rugby team performed and carried themselves.There is a debate on the TV just at the moment, in a religious show of all things, and the topic is "Can we learn anything from rugby?"The comment was made that for 80 minutes rugby players "beat t...
More About: Game , Gentle , The G , Gent

The dawn of a new era?
2007-10-20 23:08:00
12 years ago I watched a World Cup Final in South Africa. A year after an embryonic democracy was delivered to the country just about every person who could call themselves a South African united behind a squad of players - predominantly white, and a President - very definitely an icon of his era.Tonight South Africa once again held aloft the Webb Ellis trophy and were crowned World Cup Rugby Champions for 2007 - a title they have no doubt deserved, being the only remaining unbeaten team in the competition, and always looking stronger than any opposition that faced them on the pitch.But... and yes there is a BUT...Even today on the news the attention was once again drawn back to a race issue - an issue many South Africans would wish was a thing of the past. But alas - "More players of colour" is the call from some quarters.Don't get me wrong - I understand the issue that underlies the problem. But South Africa have a decision to make. As World Champions for the next four years they...
More About: Dawn

What's the worst that could happen?
2007-10-12 19:54:00
There is a LOT of debate about climate change.Inevitably this debate moves from being objective to subjective, the arguments become personal and the debate emotional.This video was sent to me, and I want to share it on. It sets out a remarkably simple, and logical argument, without being emotional, personal or subjective - just logical. I would encourage you to watch it all the way to the end, and then consider your thoughts on this.

See ya, Skippy!!!
2007-10-06 23:01:00
What a knock out day!!!It is not often that two major nations are knocked out of a World Cup competition on one day - but so it has been today!England rose out of 4 years of abysmal rugby to actually beat Australia - the Old Enemy, the Ancient Foe... and the squad must have been pondering a semi final encounter against New Zealand next week...But up stepped France, a sleeping giant, out of their slumber and bewitched the All Blacks (or the Slightly Greys) and knocked them out of the competition too!And all this time I cannot but think that those two results have all but gifted the World Cup to South Africa... But after today's results, I dare not say they too loudly!It is not often I get to bait the Aussies (goodness knows I had to sit and watch them beat South Africa TWICE last weekend at Indoor Cricket. So as a South African in England, it gives me an unimaginable amount of pleasure ro share this Peugeot advert with you!See ya, Skippy... You boys will have to wait FOUR MORE YEARS...
More About: See Ya

Birds that Moonwalk!
2007-10-06 01:25:00
This evening I was watching "QI" on television and there was an exceptionally funny segment on the Red Capped mannequin Bird of the Amazon - the only bird that can Moonwalk !!! And if you don't believe me - just watch this:
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Finally a link referral service worth blogging about!
2007-10-05 22:33:00
Regular readers may recall only a few days ago I was lamenting the service being provided by "Blogrush".Well, I have finally found a link referral service I believe actually works...BlogExplosion is NOT a pyramid scheme. Yes, you have to view other members' blogs to earn credit - but they have to view yours too! And it is not just one of those services where you can arbitrarily open a series of screens just to bypass the system - members have to view or site for a minimum of 30 seconds - and let's face it, while you are waiting for the time to pass, you may as well read the blog! So you get genuine attention, not just people trying to rack up credit.Beyond that though there are others means of earning credit, and there is even a facility to go "one-on-one" with other member blogs in the "Battle of the Blogs" contest that is continuously running.To my mind, and in my humble opinion, BlogExplosion is the best referral service I have come across in my travels on the web. Hard work on...
More About: Blogging , Service , Link , Referral , Worth

Facebook acapella
2007-10-04 23:09:00
You may have seen this before - but I am sure it will still make you chuckle - and if you have registered on Facebook , then this ought to be very familiar.
More About: Apel

Indoor Cricket World Cup Women's Final - Video
2007-10-02 01:36:00
It's taken a couple of days, but I have cobbled together the video clips I was able to record of the Women's Final from Saturday. For more information about the final itself, please read my report on the Finals Day.I will try to get the video of the Men's final out as soon as possible, so please check back in the next few days for that. (Can you believe I have to WORK?! It just gets in the way sometimes doesn't it!)Hope you enjoy the video.
More About: Video , Cricket , World Cup , World , Cricket World Cup

Not doing what it says on the can?
2007-09-30 14:23:00
I have been sitting on this blog for a few days, but have finally decided to put it into words and pixels...BLOGRUSH...I was recently introduced to Blogrush by a fellow blogger, and signed up pretty quickly. That was in fact about a week to 10 days ago. It would appear, though I haven't got this exact, that Blogrush was only launched publicly on the 16th September.Why do I tell you this information and get so detailed?Well, for the last 3 or 4 days, Blogrush's servers have been "receiving maintenance". Their latest announcement on their website is that statistics are unavailable currently as they are "doing a major overhaul of our network and we'll be releasing a completely revamped Dashboard. Your new Dashboard will contain new charts and additional statistics aimed at helping you maximize the traffic we drive to your blog."Right, here's the thing... I am not a marketer, I am a finance person, and I understand business, not advertising.But surely, if the business plan was so go...
More About: Doing

Indoor Cricket World Cup Finals Day
2007-09-29 23:17:00
South Africa and Australia contested both the Women's and Men's finals today, on the final day of the 2007 World Cup , held in Bristol, England.Women's FinalAustralia, who had reached the Final by defeating England, batted first and were restricted by some tight bowling and good fielding in the early overs. However, after that tight opening, they progressed steadily, and South Africa, despite continuous hard work and effort were unable to keep the Aussie Women in check. Australia eventually posted 138.South Africa, who had defeated eventual Bronze Medal winners New Zealand to reach the final, started confidently and were easily ahead of the comparative score after the first few overs. However, Australia were again able to gain the upper hand in the middle overs, this time in the field. With a 5 run deduction to the score for every wicket that falls, South Africa faltered, losing wickets at regular intervals. Despite some big hitting by the last South African pair, the damage had b...
More About: Cricket , Cricket World Cup , Finals

South Africa make final of World Cup
2007-09-29 14:31:00
With the Rugby World CUp hogging current headlines, and the T20 (Twenty/20) World Cup just complete, another international World Cup appears to have just about passed without any attention being drawn to it, and yet South Africa will compete in both the Men's AND Women's Final s today!The International Cricket World Cup has been taking place this week - it started on the 22nd September, and it has been taking place in BRISTOL, no less!!!Both of today's finals will in fact feature Australia versus South Africa .Australia's women bullied their way passed New Zealand, beating them by 89 runs to meet the South African Women's team today at 3:30pm (BST).In the Men's competition, Australia eased beat England by 112 runs, to set up a final with South Africa, who were made to seat as they beat New Zealand in the semi final match by just 3 runs.The Indoor Cricket World Cup 2007 is being held at the Whitchurch Sports Centre, Bristol and ends today. The ladies final is at 3:30pm, the mens ...

Taking the Fight against Size Zero to the streets
2007-09-25 20:40:00
It's been a growing trend over the last few months that people have been speaking out against size zero models - and more specifically the dangers of anorexia and starvation dieting that might be caused by people striving to look like these models.Many might argue that this is just a fad - a "Fashion Statement" if you will excuse the very poor pun.But this week one model has taken the fight to the very core of the fashion industry - to the streets of Milan...French model, Isabelle Caro is 27 and weighs just 31 kilograms. By her own admission she has suffered from anorexia since she was 13. This week, as Milan prepares for its fashion week, a series of billboards showing a grossly emancipated Caro have gone up around the city, shocking passers by as to the effects of anorexia.This story has today enjoyed media attention in the UK, both on TV and in the print media. One of the comments to this story on a national newspaper website probably sums it up, "As long as stick thin models ar...
More About: Fight , Size , Taking , Streets , The Streets

Linking with Saffa's abroad
2007-09-23 10:18:00
A few years ago it would have been very easy to feel isolated when living abroad, not able to easily find people who share the same cultures and ideals as yourself. Of course, with the internet, and portals such as "Facebook" this is now a thing of the past. Rather than extol virtues of Facebook or criticise from atop my soapbox, I wanted to bring to your combined attention 2 fantastic leads that I have been shown from Facebook (thank you, Nina!)First, SA Promo Magazine. What a fantastic idea!!!An online magazine written by South Africans living abroad, giving their insights and views. And when they say "Abroad" - if you read the articles there are South Africans in some mighty strange and off the wall places - but they are all involved and writing and giving their input...I would highly commend SA Promo Magazine.You might also want to visit the parent site, SA Promo. This is a South African directory - but of South African businesses overseas. Naturally, this is only ever as good a...
More About: Linking , Linkin , Broad , Saff

Hearing things differently
2007-09-15 11:00:00
I am a person who enjoys the occasional thing a bit "different".Again, in the course of my Saturday morning Classic FM TV watching, I have found two choirs whose take on classic pop songs is quite fantastic.In no particular order, Cantamus Girls Choir and the Scala Choir from Belgium.These are videos of them performing songs you are more used to hearing on the radio - but perhaps can appreciate more in these versions. This might not be everyone's cup of tea - but I hope you enjoy.The Cantamus Choir - sorry for the long intro on this one - bear with the vid until after the presenter has finished.... It does get better!And the Scala Choir...
More About: Things , Hearing , Diff

"Local is Lekker" goes off shore
2007-09-15 10:36:00
When I lived in South Africa I had a more than warped fascination with radio, broadcasting and more especially music - my friends would attest to that.There was a constant battle between local music and the international import market, and whereas in the UK the line doesn't exist as those "international stars" are local, South Africa did not have it so good. There was also a misconception that quality was not of the highest standard. And so the music marketing guru's got together and came up with a very catchy tag line - "Loca l is Lekker" (Translated very poorly as "Local is good"). At the time this tag line was corny, a bit dull, and some would argue did more to isolate South African music by putting it in a box than anything else.And yet, over the many years since this first happened, the concept does appear to have lasted and indeed worked.South African artists have flourished to the point where I was pleased to discover a great new blog today - "SA Music in and around London....
More About: Shore , Goes

Hiphopera
2007-09-09 11:09:00
I have said it before, I am not the world's biggest opera fan. But, I do find myself turning to the Classic FM TV channel on occasion and enjoying some of the music, especially the more modern tracks.I am even less of a hip hop fan - to the point where I avoid it completely, or as best I can. But I have just found this track and am completely overawed by it.The track is called "Memories" and features Ozmosis and The Firm - two rappers from London (so far - that's a recipe for a track I would avoid) but it also includes Matthew Crane, who at just 14 is the UK's youngest operatic Baritone, and calling himself "The Young Maestro".The result is a fusion of two worlds of music that you would think would usually clash violently - but in this instance it creates a new form of music genre, which they have coined "Hiphopera". There is even a cross over of dancing in the video.

Farewell, Luciano
2007-09-08 10:20:00
This week I heard the sad news of the passing of Luci ano Pavarotti.I cannot claim to be the world's biggest opera fan, nor the greatest supporter of classical music, but Luciano Pavarotti could still make the hair on the back of my neck stand on end!!!But on a personal note, there was something in the news story that touched me more than anything else. When the news broke on Thursday evening that "Pavarotti is unconscious and has been suffering from pancreatic cancer" I was taken back only a few months to when someone I know was in the same place...It is an amazing thing, and a very sad thing at the same time, that pancreatic cancer can move with such devastating speed and effect, and that within an incredibly short period of time can reduce a person from healthy to gravely ill and even kill them.As sad as it was, I was not surprised to hear the following morning that this cancer had taken another victim.Today as I write this, the world bids a final farewell to Luciano Pavarotti in...
More About: Farewell , Fare , Well

The most expensive air ticket on Earth? (or in the sky)
2007-09-03 15:14:00
Given that part of the Airbus plant is in Bristol, at Filton air field, and that I live in Bristol, the progress of the A380, Airbus's newest kid on the block, has always interested me...So this caught my eye in particular.The first commercial flight of the A380 with take place on 25th October between Singapore and Australia. As part of this major event, Singapore Airlines, who have a 6 month exclusivity usage of the A380 are auctioning tickets for the maiden flight on eBay. The tickets started for as low as $3.80 - but naturally this price is long gone!And with just less that 3 days left on the bidding, prices are likely to simply sky rocket (excuse the pun...)For more information about Singapore Airlines and the A380 click here.The video below is footage I took of the A380 last year when it was part of the Farnborough air show (July 2006):
More About: Earth , Most Expensive , Ticket , Tick

A time for courage
2007-08-28 20:41:00
"...do the right thing, please come forward. I know it will be hard, but my son's dead."Melanie Jones appealing for information relating ot the killing of her son, Rhys, in an interview on Sky News.It's been 6 days since 11 year old Rhys Jones was senselessly shot in the neck by a hooded teen on a BMX bike. Six days of torment for his family, his friends and a community struggling to understand how something like this could ever happen. Six days for a nation to look at itself in the mirror.In those 6 days the face of Rhys in his Everton football top has been plastered on the television and the front pages of newspapers, and by now there is the temptation for the public to become "tired" of seeing this picture, to become "weary" from the continuous coverage of this tragic story - like hearing your favourite song overplayed on the radio, until you can no longer stand to hear it.But I would stop you there, and urge you to think before complaining at this overdose of sad, bad news. Th...
More About: Time

Time Warp for Trekkies
2007-08-27 10:33:00
This appears to be an old vid, so you may already have seen it, but as I haven;t I thought I would share it.This certainly gets one into a Bank Holiday mood! (Apologies to readers NOT in the UK and who are perhaps at work - I hope this brightens your day all the same!)
More About: Time , Warp

The kind of Friend you can do without...
2007-08-26 11:30:00
When I was much younger and living in South Africa, Springbok Radio used to have a program on a Saturday Afternoon called "Forces Favourites" - a music program where friends, family and loved ones of those in the SA Defence Force could send wishes and messages to the boys on the border. I was far too young to understand the emotion involved...Then when I was in England, the Prime Minister decided to send British troops to war. For the first time in my life the true emotional impact of this action was brought home to me as I listened to a similar radio program, hearing mothers, fathers, sisters, wives and friends of those troops wish them well. They were unsure if the troops would ever return home from the war.I am not a parent, nor have I ever had to wave a friend of mine off as they left to go to war, and so I cannot fathom what this involves. Equally, I cannot imagine the pain of not having a loved one return home, and goodness knows enough British troops have lost their lives in ...
More About: Friend

Delegating authority
2007-08-26 11:14:00
In the wake of the murder of an 11 year old boy this week, seemingly by a teenager on a BMX, it appears that the Home Secretary is considering new proposals to get guns off those streets.In an interview with a Sunday newspaper here it is said that "free drop off zones" are being considered where people with illegal guns can drop them off without fear of recrimination.[See also: BBC News and Guardian Online]Forgive me being pessimistic and the voice of gloom, BUT:ARE YOU KIDDING ME???Are we going to put notices in windows of police stations saying, "Oi, Mr. Criminal, please drop your weapon off here"? This sounds like we are giving the responsibility of law to the criminal and hoping that their good conscience will lead them to feel overwhelmed with guilt and suddenly walk away from a life of crime. Sounds like a miracle on every street corner to me.The fact is that gun crime is primarily related to gang activity, and that it is these gangs who are beginning to lay down the law, NOT ...
More About: Authority

Rhys Jones
2007-08-26 11:06:00
A few weeks after I arrived in the UK 5 years ago, the case of the Soham killings hit the headlines. The most gorgeous little girls went missing, later it was revealed how they were killed and disposed of for no reason. It seemed like the whole country was moved as one in an outpouring of grief - even from people who had never heard of Soham - let alone the little Once more the UK finds itself in this vice grip of shared grief, as we watch parents of an 11 year old boy try to come to terms with the senseless way he has been torn out of their lives. I cannot imagine how those parents must feel - I pray that I, and any other parent, never has too.Rhys Jones memoriesThis is a website set up to share tributes online to this little boy.I am not sharing this as a morbid poke in the ribs, but rather to give an indication of the immense emotion the country and even beyond, is feeling at this time.Rest In Peace, Rhys

Could it be.... SUMMER???
2007-08-26 10:49:00
The most amazing thing happened yesterday - this massive yellow disk was in the sky - generating warmth and creating something that closely resembled... SUMMER!Forgive the tongue in cheek wit - we haven't had summer yet, and it's just about fall!.Took my bike for a cycle last evening and enjoyed the sun. These pictures are all from the countryside that starts about 400 yards from my home... (Give me a break - I can't cycle THAT far!)I hope the weather where you are is also pleasant!
More About: Summer

CRIME - A universal plague
2007-08-23 20:31:00
Recently there was a lot of discussion on a variety of different blogs regarding "ACT4SA" and the march in London on the 11th August.This march was instigated out of the murder of a man in South Africa, and much of the discussion centred on the crime levels in South Africa.When I lived in Cape Town crime was always "in Johannesburg" - it didn't seem to affect the Western Cape.Then some sod decided to bomb the Waterfront, and crime had officially come down the N1 and arrived in Cape Town. But sadly, I got used to it. We joked about it, it became such a part of life we were desensitised to it and almost gasped in awe if you knew someone who had NOT been mugged or hijacked...Then I moved to the UK, and crime was far more petty and less front page news. And I realised what a real crime rate was and what petty crime really was.Much of the criticism recently about South Africans living overseas was about the fact that some seemed to choose to point a sniggering finger back at South Afric...
More About: Crime , Universal , Rime , Univers

Whatever happened to Man's best friend?
2007-08-23 20:12:00
Regular readers of the "SoapBox" will know that it doesn't take a heck of a lot for me to get on one and rant and rave about things...Sometimes this is just over exuberance on my part and sometimes it is justified, and I get comments in agreement back.I am sure though that you will agree with me on this one...I heard about this on the radio while driving home today..."Flexpetz" is a San Diego based company who specialise in dog rentals.Yes, DOG RENTALS...!According to one news story:[Flexpetz] contracts out dogs by the day to urbanites without the time or space to care for a pet full-timeThis is not an April Fool joke - the company has been going for 5 months, and already has plans for global domination, with the intention of expanding from it's current Los Angeles and San Diego bases, into San Francisco, New York and London.I don't know...When I was growing up, a pet was so many things. A pet was part of the family, an object of love and affection for both parents and children, ...
More About: Friend , Pene

Mother knows best...
2007-08-22 00:10:00
I have just been watching the news on television…Hurricane Dean has smashed with Category 5 Force into Mexico, scything its way across the Yucatan peninsula, and leaving a swathe of destruction in its wake like some gigantic and warped Mexican crop circle…And it got me thinking… (as these things do…)So often we get so full of ourselves… Not on an individual basis, but as a species. Humanity steps up and boasts of its success, of its majesty and power – of its prowess and ability to “harness the elements”But what are we doing, other than pissing in the wind?Who are we trying to kid?On New Year’s Day of 2004 we saw a massive wall of water wipe out millions of square miles of Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Indonesia, as a tsunami caused massive amounts of death and destruction – the lasting image for me will always be the train washed a mile inland by the water.Earlier this year I drove across a bridge in Gloucestershire that I have driven over many times before. And each ...
More About: Mother

The Haka - preparation for the World Cup
2007-08-19 20:32:00
I wasn't looking, but happened to find this...I know it relates to the All Blacks, but it is good for a laugh!Enjoy your week!
More About: World Cup , World , The World , Preparation , Prep

A new voice - a daunting adventure
2007-08-17 18:48:00
After much pondering, I have embarked on a podcast...At the moment it is just a bit of a concept - but if you have the time and the inclination, pop over to it and let me know your thoughts...Voice of BristolIt's more Bristol focused than the SoapBox - but is intended to share a bit of my life and experience with everyone around the globe - but in particular friends and family back home.This is a first step - but might be the start of a journey...
More About: Adventure , Advent

Life is a Highway
2007-08-17 17:33:00
After a few days on the road, it certainly is starting to feel like I spend more time driving than anything else...All the same, after a long, hard week, it's good to prepare for the weekend with a chuckle and a smile - so I thought I would share these two pics that I found.Have a great weekend!
More About: Life , Highway