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Monday, December 15, 2008
B-Grade
After watching the very uh... interesting and nuanced Death Race recently I was over the proverbial moon to see the original - Death Race 2000 and its prequel Death Sport at Aro Video yesterday. Unlike the new prison based film, 2000 stars Caine himself, David Carradine and Sylvester Stallone as they race across the US pickng up points for killing pedestrians along the way - the elderly are worth 100 points, toddlers 75 points, women 10 points etc. Trailer below
Death Sport also starred Carradine but was based in the year 3000 - a time where prisoners are forced into a fight to death with gladiator types who ride 'death machines'... otherwise known as motorbikes with cardboard bits spray painted silver tacked on the front and sides. It is the sequel to Death Race 2000, but bears no real similarities other than on the quality front - its average rating on IMDB is 2.7 out of 10. Adding to b-grade flavour it features an awesome/irritating synthesizer soundtrack and also starred then Playboy Bunny, Claudia Jennings who naturally treats the audience to a full frontal... or two... as you do. Classic stuff.
One of my colleagues also lent me the first two episodes of iconic 1980s Knightrider wannabe, Street Hawk. Its basically about a cop who goes around fighting crime on his wicked bike - which if you look it up on Wikipedia, you find out was just a Honda dirtbike with a few bits tacked on... I wonder if that makes it a death machine?? Hmmm on second thought I think you need some Carradine for that. Trailer below
So if you feel like a cheesy b grade movie weekend - accept no substitute!
Death Sport also starred Carradine but was based in the year 3000 - a time where prisoners are forced into a fight to death with gladiator types who ride 'death machines'... otherwise known as motorbikes with cardboard bits spray painted silver tacked on the front and sides. It is the sequel to Death Race 2000, but bears no real similarities other than on the quality front - its average rating on IMDB is 2.7 out of 10. Adding to b-grade flavour it features an awesome/irritating synthesizer soundtrack and also starred then Playboy Bunny, Claudia Jennings who naturally treats the audience to a full frontal... or two... as you do. Classic stuff.
One of my colleagues also lent me the first two episodes of iconic 1980s Knightrider wannabe, Street Hawk. Its basically about a cop who goes around fighting crime on his wicked bike - which if you look it up on Wikipedia, you find out was just a Honda dirtbike with a few bits tacked on... I wonder if that makes it a death machine?? Hmmm on second thought I think you need some Carradine for that. Trailer below
So if you feel like a cheesy b grade movie weekend - accept no substitute!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Taking over the asylum
I was planning on avoiding politics as a topic for the remainder of the year, but the happenings of the last week have meant I just can't bite my tongue any longer. Almost unbelievably our brand spanking new tory government has seemingly used its first week in the house to shoot itself in the foot and try to bring an end to its own honeymoon period.
They had widely flagged that tax legislation and changes to KiwiSaver would be introduced under urgency, but had not even hinted that the 90 Day probation period bill would be introduced - let alone passed. Personally I don't have a problem with probationary periods - and they were actually allowed for under the Employment Relations Act. Of course as most people know, my previous employer used the probation period mechanism under the ERA and they had actually used it to remove a previous employee, but only after they had gone through a process which identified what was wrong and provided a chance for the worker to get it together. But what this bill does is actually remove any avenue for recourse or mediation - basically if you're sacked at the end of the 90 day period and you feel you have been unfairly treated or that you received insufficient training to be able to do the job or no warning etc - there is nothing you can do, you're gone. There is no independent complaints authority - you're out of luck, sunshine.
Worse still, watching the debates it was abundantly clear that the government backbenchers actually had no idea about the implications of their tax changes for low income earners (naturally the cuts favour the rich and actually disadvantage workers earning under $45k). Is there anything more dangerous in a democracy than a government passing legislation that they haven't read and refuse to release until the debate begins under urgency, with minimal debate and no consultation?
This willingness to force through legislation under urgency - when there is no real need - does beg the question whether we need another check or balance on the Parliament. The Select Committee process was supposed to alleviate the need for an upper house by providing another check on the government. Given this government's perceived eagerness to avoid Select Committee's and the historic unwillingness of the Governor General to reject laws, I wonder if we do need to look again at the idea of re-establishing an upper house as a final check.
On top of all this big Gerry Brownlee's cringeworthy, shambolic performance as Leader of the House has been like watching some sort of David Brent/Manuel The Office/Fawlty Towers hybrid. It makes you really want Labour to pick up the Yellow Fever chant from Phoenix matches - "YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING".
Meanwhile Brownlee has been the talk of the town for other reasons - with leaks flowing from all angles suggesting that because of his personal dislike for Nick Smith he has instructed officials in the Energy and Resources area that they are not to talk to or give any information to Environment ministry officials for fear that it will end up in Nick Smith's hands. That's right kids, if true - Brownlee has basically ordered by decree that officials working on things like, I dunno, Biofuels and electricity generation are not allowed to talk to the lead agency on climate change. I know right - WTF? how does that work?
And this is week one.
The knife also continues to hover over the public service with redundancies seeming almost inevitable. I only hope that National look at how ineffective the Rudd Labor government's cuts to the public sector have been in Australia. The public service over there is stupidly overworked and I know of people being expected to work 12-13 hour days, 6 days a week as a norm. Foreign Affairs has supposedly been a top priority of the new government with Rudd keen to be seen as a leader on issues like climate change, yet the budget cuts at DFAT has seen a 10 per cent staff turnover already in the first 12 months of KRudd.
I know this is what the people wanted and that this is the government the people chose. But I'm not sure anyone really thought it would be this messy quite so soon.
They had widely flagged that tax legislation and changes to KiwiSaver would be introduced under urgency, but had not even hinted that the 90 Day probation period bill would be introduced - let alone passed. Personally I don't have a problem with probationary periods - and they were actually allowed for under the Employment Relations Act. Of course as most people know, my previous employer used the probation period mechanism under the ERA and they had actually used it to remove a previous employee, but only after they had gone through a process which identified what was wrong and provided a chance for the worker to get it together. But what this bill does is actually remove any avenue for recourse or mediation - basically if you're sacked at the end of the 90 day period and you feel you have been unfairly treated or that you received insufficient training to be able to do the job or no warning etc - there is nothing you can do, you're gone. There is no independent complaints authority - you're out of luck, sunshine.
Worse still, watching the debates it was abundantly clear that the government backbenchers actually had no idea about the implications of their tax changes for low income earners (naturally the cuts favour the rich and actually disadvantage workers earning under $45k). Is there anything more dangerous in a democracy than a government passing legislation that they haven't read and refuse to release until the debate begins under urgency, with minimal debate and no consultation?
This willingness to force through legislation under urgency - when there is no real need - does beg the question whether we need another check or balance on the Parliament. The Select Committee process was supposed to alleviate the need for an upper house by providing another check on the government. Given this government's perceived eagerness to avoid Select Committee's and the historic unwillingness of the Governor General to reject laws, I wonder if we do need to look again at the idea of re-establishing an upper house as a final check.
On top of all this big Gerry Brownlee's cringeworthy, shambolic performance as Leader of the House has been like watching some sort of David Brent/Manuel The Office/Fawlty Towers hybrid. It makes you really want Labour to pick up the Yellow Fever chant from Phoenix matches - "YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING".
Meanwhile Brownlee has been the talk of the town for other reasons - with leaks flowing from all angles suggesting that because of his personal dislike for Nick Smith he has instructed officials in the Energy and Resources area that they are not to talk to or give any information to Environment ministry officials for fear that it will end up in Nick Smith's hands. That's right kids, if true - Brownlee has basically ordered by decree that officials working on things like, I dunno, Biofuels and electricity generation are not allowed to talk to the lead agency on climate change. I know right - WTF? how does that work?
And this is week one.
The knife also continues to hover over the public service with redundancies seeming almost inevitable. I only hope that National look at how ineffective the Rudd Labor government's cuts to the public sector have been in Australia. The public service over there is stupidly overworked and I know of people being expected to work 12-13 hour days, 6 days a week as a norm. Foreign Affairs has supposedly been a top priority of the new government with Rudd keen to be seen as a leader on issues like climate change, yet the budget cuts at DFAT has seen a 10 per cent staff turnover already in the first 12 months of KRudd.
I know this is what the people wanted and that this is the government the people chose. But I'm not sure anyone really thought it would be this messy quite so soon.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Monday, December 01, 2008
Are you local?
One of the most notable outcomes of the recent election was how Labour lost every single provincial seat that it held, despite many of the areas being characteristically 'Labour' areas. For example previously safe regional seats like East Coast, Otaki, Tukituki, West Coast-Tasman, Invercargill, and Whanganui have all been lost over the last two terms. In Palmerston North and Rimutaka Labour also struggled even though they had both had long solid service from popular retiring local MPs.
Five-minute PM, Mike Moore recently suggested that one of the reasons for this was MMP. He said that the safety net created by the party list meant MPs were preoccupied with impressing their leader and party hierarchy to gain promotion and to secure a decent list spot rather than putting in the hard yards in their electorates. Moore suggested this was why MPs had lost touch with their electorates and why so many of Labour's caucus seemed non-plussed at the thought of life on the list.
I think he is almost right on the money. We are told that there are huge numbers of people signing up to the party - that the membership is growing and is the strongest it has been. But take all those electorates listed above - not one of them has what you would call a strong local committee with active members and supporters. The membership in these areas has stagnated and aged to the point that basic activities such as door-knocking could not happen and deliveries in many had to be contracted out.
As UK Labour Councillor, Phillip Glanville, succinctly put it in his recent piece on the Blairite site Progress Online talking about the UK party - local campaigns are vital or no seat is safe. The parallels to our local party are stunning -
Just swap out the MP and place names and you pretty much have NZ Labour.
Indeed.
However, what parts of the recent campaign also reinforced was that with real effort and a priority given to connecting directly - I firmly believe that most of the seats above can and should be won back in three years.
Five-minute PM, Mike Moore recently suggested that one of the reasons for this was MMP. He said that the safety net created by the party list meant MPs were preoccupied with impressing their leader and party hierarchy to gain promotion and to secure a decent list spot rather than putting in the hard yards in their electorates. Moore suggested this was why MPs had lost touch with their electorates and why so many of Labour's caucus seemed non-plussed at the thought of life on the list.
I think he is almost right on the money. We are told that there are huge numbers of people signing up to the party - that the membership is growing and is the strongest it has been. But take all those electorates listed above - not one of them has what you would call a strong local committee with active members and supporters. The membership in these areas has stagnated and aged to the point that basic activities such as door-knocking could not happen and deliveries in many had to be contracted out.
As UK Labour Councillor, Phillip Glanville, succinctly put it in his recent piece on the Blairite site Progress Online talking about the UK party - local campaigns are vital or no seat is safe. The parallels to our local party are stunning -
"Campaigning in Crewe, I was struck by the lack of long-term organisation. The late, great Gwyneth Dunwoody was a formidable parliamentarian and much-respected MP, but the local party in Crewe seemed moribund at best. Sadly, it was clear that canvassing and campaigning had not taken place for a generation. No historic data, no personal relationships, no record of local campaigning.
In estate after estate, there was no sense that Labour had been talking to local people. We hadn't fostered a sense that the party was on their side - campaigning for better schools, safer streets and new homes."
Just swap out the MP and place names and you pretty much have NZ Labour.
"... Crewe and Glasgow are better after 11 years of Labour Government. Yet, for years it seems nobody has talked to local people about what we are doing and why.
Our supporters don't need Facebook, they want us to talk face to face: in their local pub, at the church fete, at a residents' meeting or on the doorstep. It may be old-fashioned or unsexy, but it works. You can't just turn up every four years (or, even worse, mid-term) and expect people to vote for you.
Clearly being in power is vital. We should never lose sight of that aim or hold the deluded view that we need to be in opposition to renew. Yet being in government can hold the party. Leaders inevitably start to listen to civil servants over party members and citizens. We get caught up in the idea that a good policy and a slick soundbite is all it takes to succeed."
Indeed.
However, what parts of the recent campaign also reinforced was that with real effort and a priority given to connecting directly - I firmly believe that most of the seats above can and should be won back in three years.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
1005 reasons for a quiet Sunday
Yesterday the glorious Hobson St Posse spent its kitty of $1005 worth of Shepherds Arms bar tab vouchers - in one go.
We kicked the day off with brunch and a couple of rounds at the Arms before heading out to the Island Bay Bowling Club to break the day up.
Now what I havent mentioned is that on Friday night we had our work Christmas function at TSB Arena which was a belter - so my head was on the sore side and frankly I had no business being at a pub again on Saturday morning - let alone ordering $6.50 jugs of Macs at the Bowling Club (yes at those prices we are considering joining).
Then it was back to the Shepherds to polish off the remaining $700 - so we all went out of our way to order stuff that we hadn't had before - and I think we just about bought one of each menu item. After a substantial feed of mussels etc it was on to Long Island Ice Teas and other cocktails before I settled on Laphraoig single malt Whiskey.
I did walk home which managed to work off most of the effects - but it all caught up with me when I tried watching the All Blacks this morning with a massive headache.
The bartender, 'Ginga', challenged us to reach $1500 next year - so watch this space I guess.
We kicked the day off with brunch and a couple of rounds at the Arms before heading out to the Island Bay Bowling Club to break the day up.
Now what I havent mentioned is that on Friday night we had our work Christmas function at TSB Arena which was a belter - so my head was on the sore side and frankly I had no business being at a pub again on Saturday morning - let alone ordering $6.50 jugs of Macs at the Bowling Club (yes at those prices we are considering joining).
Then it was back to the Shepherds to polish off the remaining $700 - so we all went out of our way to order stuff that we hadn't had before - and I think we just about bought one of each menu item. After a substantial feed of mussels etc it was on to Long Island Ice Teas and other cocktails before I settled on Laphraoig single malt Whiskey.
I did walk home which managed to work off most of the effects - but it all caught up with me when I tried watching the All Blacks this morning with a massive headache.
The bartender, 'Ginga', challenged us to reach $1500 next year - so watch this space I guess.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
You what?
I thought I would share a couple of moments of work place insanity I have experienced in the last week or two where senior colleagues have almost gone out of their way to mangle the english language. Today we had the word 'solution' used as a verb:
"Can you solution this issue?"
Maybe I'm being old fashioned, but I'm still quite a fan of the word 'solve' and even 'fix'. Also, I did wonder for a second whether they were actually referring to a 'topical solution' - as in can you apply a topical solution - but then that doesn't make sense either.
The other classic one was when one of our HR people said "I haven't got an optic on that." What? I think you mean - I haven't seen that.
"Can you solution this issue?"
Maybe I'm being old fashioned, but I'm still quite a fan of the word 'solve' and even 'fix'. Also, I did wonder for a second whether they were actually referring to a 'topical solution' - as in can you apply a topical solution - but then that doesn't make sense either.
The other classic one was when one of our HR people said "I haven't got an optic on that." What? I think you mean - I haven't seen that.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Agenda gets struck off the uh... agenda
Ok so I wasn't the biggest fan of TV One's Agenda - but I'm pretty pissed that it has been canned.
One of my worries about our new tory government is that there will be very little critical analysis of what is actually happening as we are almost heading towards a perfect storm with minimal coverage from the media other than scripted set pieces. We have an ever decreasing media in New Zealand - our major dailies are continually downsizing, most actual journalists are either now in PR or working for government departments - if not running them! On top of that we have a new prime minister who, chances are, will adopt the Shipley approach of only holding fortnightly Cabinet meetings and no press conferences (he isn't great when put on the spot - so he's not going to chuck himself in the lions den like Clark did each week, is he?).
For all its faults it was the very show that tripped up several players in the last 12 months - Mike Williams on Owen Glenn etc and Maurice Williamson on tolls for example - and it was our only actual political show with in-depth interviews. It's also ironic that Agenda's Australian namesake on Sky News has made it's host David Speers one of the leading commentators in the country and the show has become central to political coverage.
I only hope that either Sky News or even TV3 look to fill the void (and ideally chuck it in a better time slot). What I would love to see is something intelligent and insightful without boring everyone to tears - much like MSNBC's fantastic Rachel Maddow Show. If you haven't seen it - check out some of the clips on her site - we have nothing like it here (probably the closest would be Media 7 on TVNZ7). Also it's quite funny how I came across the show too since we don't get MSNBC - the Palin Vlog #13 where Sarah Palin trys to pray away the gay from Dina after her sapphic desires of Rachel Maddow are exposed - so very funny - watch it here .
One of my worries about our new tory government is that there will be very little critical analysis of what is actually happening as we are almost heading towards a perfect storm with minimal coverage from the media other than scripted set pieces. We have an ever decreasing media in New Zealand - our major dailies are continually downsizing, most actual journalists are either now in PR or working for government departments - if not running them! On top of that we have a new prime minister who, chances are, will adopt the Shipley approach of only holding fortnightly Cabinet meetings and no press conferences (he isn't great when put on the spot - so he's not going to chuck himself in the lions den like Clark did each week, is he?).
For all its faults it was the very show that tripped up several players in the last 12 months - Mike Williams on Owen Glenn etc and Maurice Williamson on tolls for example - and it was our only actual political show with in-depth interviews. It's also ironic that Agenda's Australian namesake on Sky News has made it's host David Speers one of the leading commentators in the country and the show has become central to political coverage.
I only hope that either Sky News or even TV3 look to fill the void (and ideally chuck it in a better time slot). What I would love to see is something intelligent and insightful without boring everyone to tears - much like MSNBC's fantastic Rachel Maddow Show. If you haven't seen it - check out some of the clips on her site - we have nothing like it here (probably the closest would be Media 7 on TVNZ7). Also it's quite funny how I came across the show too since we don't get MSNBC - the Palin Vlog #13 where Sarah Palin trys to pray away the gay from Dina after her sapphic desires of Rachel Maddow are exposed - so very funny - watch it here .
Cardinalogy
I picked up Cardinalogy over the weekend, Ryan Adams' follow up to last year's Easy Tiger. This time around the tracks a little snappier with most clocking in around the 2-3 minute mark, but unfortunately they have carried over that easy or dare I say it - 'nice' feel of Easy Tiger.
There are some high points though - I've found myself singing Go Easy and Fix It at work and he almost goes a little Ben Harper and the Blind Boys with track 6 - Let Us Down Easy.
it's a good solid album along the Gold and Easy Tiger lines, but like those albums, it never reaches the heights and innovation of the Cold Roses/Jacksonville City Nights/29 era.
Below is Ryan and the Cardinal's performing my favourite track - Fix It on Letterman.
There are some high points though - I've found myself singing Go Easy and Fix It at work and he almost goes a little Ben Harper and the Blind Boys with track 6 - Let Us Down Easy.
it's a good solid album along the Gold and Easy Tiger lines, but like those albums, it never reaches the heights and innovation of the Cold Roses/Jacksonville City Nights/29 era.
Below is Ryan and the Cardinal's performing my favourite track - Fix It on Letterman.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Who let that happen?? The Sequel
Well the campaign might be over, but the Palin shambles rumbles on and they continue to provide examples for why you need to do a thorough advance.
Video below of Sarah Palin doing an interview in front of turkeys being slaughtered - the camera man asked if she would prefer to do it with a different backdrop -she said it was fine... So in answer to my question - she let that happen!
The Alaska Palin Massacre
Video below of Sarah Palin doing an interview in front of turkeys being slaughtered - the camera man asked if she would prefer to do it with a different backdrop -she said it was fine... So in answer to my question - she let that happen!
The Alaska Palin Massacre
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Hey it's a world cup in rugby code - I'll take it!
The Kiwi league team pulled off what is unquestionably the upset of the century for Rugby League last night by toppling the Kangaroo's in the league world cup final. It was only 12 or so months ago when I attended the centenary test in Wellington where we got pummeled 50 odd nil (i did steal a souvenir ball though that day so it wasnt all bad). All throughout this 'World Cup' I had been bitching about what a joke it was and that only one team could win and that the whole thing was really a play off between England and New Zealand to see who would have the honour of losing the final to Australia. But I was sooo wrong and as the Sun Herald in Sydney have said - the Joke (of a tournament) became the Choke! Finally I have something to throw back at the Aussies when they bring up choking at world cups!
The All Blacks also went well against Wales and are only one win away from another Grand Slam. The most impressive thing so far is that in the three Grand Slam tests (Scotland, Ireland and Wales) and the Hong Kong test against the Wallabies, is that the All Blacks haven't conceded a single try - would be great to see them hold that against England this week. But anyway, aren't we just loving all the Haka hijinks - first we had Tipoki, Howlett etc doing a haka to the All Blacks before the Munster game and then we had the Wales stare down contest - loving it!
The Phoenix also did their darnedest to butcher a win against Newcastle tonight - with two red cards against Newcastle before half time you would assume victory was inevitable - especially since the star Phoenix recruit, Fred from DC United and formerly of the Victory (MVP of the 2006 A-League), was playing. But oh no - we had to fuck up as many opportunities as possible before spluttering to victory late in the game. I shouldn't be quite so harsh I know - but I'm losing enough hair as it is!
Speaking of harsh I could take the easy option and bag the NZ Cricket team for not taking their opportunity to beat Australia when they had the chance. But I'll be honest - I had incredibly low expectations and I actually thought the performance was an improvement - I'll explain what I mean in a second. But basically we don't have the batsmen to beat Australia - we have the bowlers - but not the batting so our chances were always fairly remote. How and Redmond are clinging on to their slots for dear life. Of the two (and I know Im kinda biased) How does look the most likely to get a score - but like Daniel Flynn - he needs to deliver on that at some point. Redmond is hopeless and out of his depth - but really we've tried all the other options (Bell/Papps/Cumming) so he may as well hang around. Ryder and Taylor look good but need to protect their wickets more, McCullum isn't a number 5 and doesn't look comfortable there - he should drop back to 7 with Flynn stepping up to 5 and being pushed for runs. I know Grant Elliot is only there to make up the numbers but he is just painful to watch and should not be there - he can't bat and he can only barely bowl - so why bother? Why not just throw Kyle Mills back in at 8 - at least he can bowl and his 15 or 20 runs late in the innings would be more use than another 6-ball duck.
But anyway as I said, I thought it was an improvement and I say that because we actually dominated a whole days play (day 1), which I can't remember us doing for a long time against Australia. We put Australia in, bundled them out for a low score and then didnt lose a wicket - all you could ask for out of day 1 of a test. Honours were split on day 2, we won the last session having lost the first and second sessions badly. Day 3 was Australia's and was enough to take the test. But despite a poor day 3 it was still better than the last time we faced Australia in a test. During that series we might do ok during the odd session - but we could never maintain that pressure throughout a whole day. We would either start well by picking up wickets only to butcher the game with a poor second session - with Symonds, Ponting or Gilchrist piling on runs or we would have another middle order collapse if we were batting. Either way we would be unable to maintain the pressure we had built up into the next session. But in Brisbane for a whole day we had the foot on the throat of Australia and we were competitive. So yeah its still disappointing to lose again, but it showed progress and hopefully during the next series against them we can start winning consecutive whole days... and who knows if we can start scoring runs - maybe even a test.
The All Blacks also went well against Wales and are only one win away from another Grand Slam. The most impressive thing so far is that in the three Grand Slam tests (Scotland, Ireland and Wales) and the Hong Kong test against the Wallabies, is that the All Blacks haven't conceded a single try - would be great to see them hold that against England this week. But anyway, aren't we just loving all the Haka hijinks - first we had Tipoki, Howlett etc doing a haka to the All Blacks before the Munster game and then we had the Wales stare down contest - loving it!
The Phoenix also did their darnedest to butcher a win against Newcastle tonight - with two red cards against Newcastle before half time you would assume victory was inevitable - especially since the star Phoenix recruit, Fred from DC United and formerly of the Victory (MVP of the 2006 A-League), was playing. But oh no - we had to fuck up as many opportunities as possible before spluttering to victory late in the game. I shouldn't be quite so harsh I know - but I'm losing enough hair as it is!
Speaking of harsh I could take the easy option and bag the NZ Cricket team for not taking their opportunity to beat Australia when they had the chance. But I'll be honest - I had incredibly low expectations and I actually thought the performance was an improvement - I'll explain what I mean in a second. But basically we don't have the batsmen to beat Australia - we have the bowlers - but not the batting so our chances were always fairly remote. How and Redmond are clinging on to their slots for dear life. Of the two (and I know Im kinda biased) How does look the most likely to get a score - but like Daniel Flynn - he needs to deliver on that at some point. Redmond is hopeless and out of his depth - but really we've tried all the other options (Bell/Papps/Cumming) so he may as well hang around. Ryder and Taylor look good but need to protect their wickets more, McCullum isn't a number 5 and doesn't look comfortable there - he should drop back to 7 with Flynn stepping up to 5 and being pushed for runs. I know Grant Elliot is only there to make up the numbers but he is just painful to watch and should not be there - he can't bat and he can only barely bowl - so why bother? Why not just throw Kyle Mills back in at 8 - at least he can bowl and his 15 or 20 runs late in the innings would be more use than another 6-ball duck.
But anyway as I said, I thought it was an improvement and I say that because we actually dominated a whole days play (day 1), which I can't remember us doing for a long time against Australia. We put Australia in, bundled them out for a low score and then didnt lose a wicket - all you could ask for out of day 1 of a test. Honours were split on day 2, we won the last session having lost the first and second sessions badly. Day 3 was Australia's and was enough to take the test. But despite a poor day 3 it was still better than the last time we faced Australia in a test. During that series we might do ok during the odd session - but we could never maintain that pressure throughout a whole day. We would either start well by picking up wickets only to butcher the game with a poor second session - with Symonds, Ponting or Gilchrist piling on runs or we would have another middle order collapse if we were batting. Either way we would be unable to maintain the pressure we had built up into the next session. But in Brisbane for a whole day we had the foot on the throat of Australia and we were competitive. So yeah its still disappointing to lose again, but it showed progress and hopefully during the next series against them we can start winning consecutive whole days... and who knows if we can start scoring runs - maybe even a test.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
No way
I cannot believe that this is actually on the table - but the City Council is actually proposing to build a flyover at the Basin Reserve - ala the Victoria Park fly over in Auckland. The fact that it will still be bookended by the two old single lane tunnels make it hopeless from the outset - but how on earth could Kerry and the gang seriously propose building such a hideous monument at one of the worlds best cricket grounds.
Eye of the Fish have a good run down on how hopeless and costly the Victoria Park and Newmarket fly overs have been in Auckland here and you can read the full Ngauranga - Airport corridor report here. What really annoyed me though was how they tucked details of the fly over into the part about creating a 'grand pedestrian entrance' to the Basin with a new public transport hub - it was like oh and we could incorporate a motorway fly over.... you know, as you do. This is a stupid 1950s response to the congestion in this area and creates the real risk that we are going to have a shocking blot on the Wellington landscape.
The other shocking part for me is that the Council seems to have dismissed the idea of light rail in the short to medium term and also the idea of extending rail into the city. This whole plan is a shocker and its good to see Green Councillor, Iona Pannett holding public meeting this Tuesday on it. I'd love to see our new MP take a lead on this.
Below is a map of the plan that the Greens came up with for Wellington during the recent election campaign (click on it for a bigger version) - and I have to say - how cool would that be??
The plan Replaces the Johnsonville line with light rail, which then connects through to Courtenay Place, the Airport and the Hospital. Also they are suggesting a light rail line out to Queensgate from Wellington - just like a ahhh.... city! Longer term I'd love to see fast electrified rail of some description right through to Palmerston North, connecting the other centres along the way which would create a situation where people could live up the coast and commute to the City in good time.
Eye of the Fish have a good run down on how hopeless and costly the Victoria Park and Newmarket fly overs have been in Auckland here and you can read the full Ngauranga - Airport corridor report here. What really annoyed me though was how they tucked details of the fly over into the part about creating a 'grand pedestrian entrance' to the Basin with a new public transport hub - it was like oh and we could incorporate a motorway fly over.... you know, as you do. This is a stupid 1950s response to the congestion in this area and creates the real risk that we are going to have a shocking blot on the Wellington landscape.
The other shocking part for me is that the Council seems to have dismissed the idea of light rail in the short to medium term and also the idea of extending rail into the city. This whole plan is a shocker and its good to see Green Councillor, Iona Pannett holding public meeting this Tuesday on it. I'd love to see our new MP take a lead on this.
Below is a map of the plan that the Greens came up with for Wellington during the recent election campaign (click on it for a bigger version) - and I have to say - how cool would that be??
The plan Replaces the Johnsonville line with light rail, which then connects through to Courtenay Place, the Airport and the Hospital. Also they are suggesting a light rail line out to Queensgate from Wellington - just like a ahhh.... city! Longer term I'd love to see fast electrified rail of some description right through to Palmerston North, connecting the other centres along the way which would create a situation where people could live up the coast and commute to the City in good time.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Going Gig Crazy
Well Feb and March are now shaping up as exciting months with a stack of international acts actually coming to New Zealand!
We have the Top Gear Live Show in Auckland - with the full cast of Jeremy Clarkson, Hampster, Captain slow, and the Stig as well as an array of super cars and football-playing-Suzuki-swifts. On top of that The Who are playing the North Shore with Counting Crows, Neil Young and the Arctics are headlining the Big Day Out and just announced yesterday - Ryan Adams is coming to Wellington... EEEEEEEEE!
Here he is performing Magnolia Mountain from Cold Roses in Sydney a few years back
Rounding out the beginning of 2009, rumour has it that the Ringleader of the Tormentors himself, Morrissey is heading down our way... again EEEEEEEE!
Which reminds me of a funny conversation I had about Morrissey a year or so back - I was asked "is he still alive??" I was like no he's still touring to which they said "Oh well he's all shit then - moans on about it, but never actually tops himself." LOL classic.
We have the Top Gear Live Show in Auckland - with the full cast of Jeremy Clarkson, Hampster, Captain slow, and the Stig as well as an array of super cars and football-playing-Suzuki-swifts. On top of that The Who are playing the North Shore with Counting Crows, Neil Young and the Arctics are headlining the Big Day Out and just announced yesterday - Ryan Adams is coming to Wellington... EEEEEEEEE!
Here he is performing Magnolia Mountain from Cold Roses in Sydney a few years back
Rounding out the beginning of 2009, rumour has it that the Ringleader of the Tormentors himself, Morrissey is heading down our way... again EEEEEEEE!
Which reminds me of a funny conversation I had about Morrissey a year or so back - I was asked "is he still alive??" I was like no he's still touring to which they said "Oh well he's all shit then - moans on about it, but never actually tops himself." LOL classic.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Criminal Justice system
After watching a right wing government get elected over the weekend, I ended up watching a new doco-drama examining future justice system penalties and the sort of private prison management that may occur here. The film had a storyline that was very similar in many ways to the Shawshank Redemption. It featured a very nuanced commentary on the criminal justice system and alternative ways of dealing with prisoners and some of the possible outomes of the private ownership and management of prisons.
LOL the movie was of course called Death Race - trailer below. Yeah not exactly the most intellectual film I've seen - but great for an election hangover!
PS What the fuck was Joan Allen doing in this rubbish?
LOL the movie was of course called Death Race - trailer below. Yeah not exactly the most intellectual film I've seen - but great for an election hangover!
PS What the fuck was Joan Allen doing in this rubbish?
Friday, November 07, 2008
History
Well I was actually on the money with my call for the US elections - with Obama gaining 364 electoral college votes to McCain's 174 - and while Im talking myself up I will note that I did pick Obama as an outsider to watch over two years ago - mind you at the time I was hoping for a Gore/Obama ticket - but still!
I watched the results come in at the US embassy's event and I have to say I hadn't anticipated just how euphoric and emotional the occasion would be. The result was historic for so many reasons - not only has his election smashed through the 'bradley effect', but it has also quashed the notion of blue and red states with Obama winning states like North Carolina, Indiana and Virginia, its shown that the Democrats aren't only strong on the coasts and proven that the Democrats can be elected during an economic crisis not mention a war.
Anyway - fingers crossed im not too far off tomorrow.
I watched the results come in at the US embassy's event and I have to say I hadn't anticipated just how euphoric and emotional the occasion would be. The result was historic for so many reasons - not only has his election smashed through the 'bradley effect', but it has also quashed the notion of blue and red states with Obama winning states like North Carolina, Indiana and Virginia, its shown that the Democrats aren't only strong on the coasts and proven that the Democrats can be elected during an economic crisis not mention a war.
Anyway - fingers crossed im not too far off tomorrow.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Australia Day?
Well maybe Australian Labor Party Day might be more accurate. As we close in on election day, both parties seem to be ripping off the ALP.
Yesterday National Leader, John Key, launched his new schools policy which he said would "add rungs to the ladder of opportunity". Hmmm now that sounds familiar huh? Well that's probably because the 'Ladder of Opportunity' was Mark Latham's slogan throughout his ill fated 2004 campaign. I know Key is no fan of history, but surely he realises the wheels well and truly came off the 2004 ALP campaign (and Latham's career) not long after launching the catchphrase? Tempting fate a bit...
But anyway Key isn't the only one to be caught red handed stealing pages from the playbooks of recent ALP campaigns. Labour released its new TV ad yesterday, with an unsubtle and very personal - I can't trust you, John Key - message. But again this seemed familiar to many political hacks. Where have we seen a young mother talking direct to camera, criticising a tory leader while feeding their baby?? That's right - Australia!
Still I guess its better than stealing ideas from this guy or this Alaskan candidate. WTF? I know.
Yesterday National Leader, John Key, launched his new schools policy which he said would "add rungs to the ladder of opportunity". Hmmm now that sounds familiar huh? Well that's probably because the 'Ladder of Opportunity' was Mark Latham's slogan throughout his ill fated 2004 campaign. I know Key is no fan of history, but surely he realises the wheels well and truly came off the 2004 ALP campaign (and Latham's career) not long after launching the catchphrase? Tempting fate a bit...
But anyway Key isn't the only one to be caught red handed stealing pages from the playbooks of recent ALP campaigns. Labour released its new TV ad yesterday, with an unsubtle and very personal - I can't trust you, John Key - message. But again this seemed familiar to many political hacks. Where have we seen a young mother talking direct to camera, criticising a tory leader while feeding their baby?? That's right - Australia!
Still I guess its better than stealing ideas from this guy or this Alaskan candidate. WTF? I know.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
OOO I love a good sports metaphor
Most of you will realise that I love a good sports metaphor - but the one below by MSNBC's Rachel Maddow was especially good as it nicely demonstrates how much of a big deal it is that states like Indiana and Montana are even potential battlegrounds.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Who let that happen??
You know some people I know don't see the value in having a campaign carry out advance checks ahead of the candidate's visit. Well let this little snippet be a lesson for you.
Clearly the McCain campaign don't believe in a decent advance either - unbelievably, a Palin impersonator appeared right behind McCain at a rally over the weekend. I love how she smiles, nods and waves to the crowd as McCain talks up his running mate. Who let her up there? Absolutely classic.
Clearly the McCain campaign don't believe in a decent advance either - unbelievably, a Palin impersonator appeared right behind McCain at a rally over the weekend. I love how she smiles, nods and waves to the crowd as McCain talks up his running mate. Who let her up there? Absolutely classic.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Yes you can can
I checked out Young at Heart tonight, the inspiring story of a choir made up of 80-somethings who sing rock songs. Not only was it absolutely hilarious to see oldies singing tracks by Bowie, The Clash, Talking Heads, Sonic Youth, the Bee Gees, James Brown etc, but it was actually at time incredibly moving.
The doco followed the groups preparations for their new show - Alive and Well. Naturally given their age there are losses along the way and Fred's Johnny Cash-esque performance of Coldplay's Fix You that he dedicated to Bob and Joe, stole the show for me. Mind you Forever Young at the Prison was fantastic as was their video of the Ramones, I Want to Be Sedated and Bowie's Golden Years.
Young at Heart is the sort of film that is impossible to watch without smiling and I definitely recommend checking it out. It came out last year and was part of the film festival earlier this year - so it should be easy enough to find. Trailer below.
The doco followed the groups preparations for their new show - Alive and Well. Naturally given their age there are losses along the way and Fred's Johnny Cash-esque performance of Coldplay's Fix You that he dedicated to Bob and Joe, stole the show for me. Mind you Forever Young at the Prison was fantastic as was their video of the Ramones, I Want to Be Sedated and Bowie's Golden Years.
Young at Heart is the sort of film that is impossible to watch without smiling and I definitely recommend checking it out. It came out last year and was part of the film festival earlier this year - so it should be easy enough to find. Trailer below.
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