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Wednesday, October 26, 2011

GBE2 Blog on: Ownership: The NZ All Blacks field of dreams - Rugby World Cup champions...

Cropped image of England rugby celebrations.Image via Wikipedia

 

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GBE2 Blog on: Ownership: The New Zealand All Blacks field of dreams - Rugby World Cup Champions 2011


In 1987 New Zealand organised and hosted the inaugural Rugby World Cup in that country. Sixteen teams from throughout the rugby union world participated in pool games around the country. New Zealand played and beat France 29-9 in the grand final. Wales and Australia played-off for third and fourth place.

However, despite consistently being the first-ranked team in world rugby, New Zealand failed to win another Rugby World Cup for 24 years. They went very close in 1995, drawing 12-12 in ordinary time, but losing the play-off 15-12 to the hosts South Africa.

But things have turned full circle, and New Zealand has just hosted its second Rugby World Cup tournament, winning it in the process.

So in its own field of dreams, New Zealand has claimed ownership of the Rugby World Cup and the world championship of rugby union.

In this the second tournament it has hosted in twenty four years, the cup has grown to twenty teams, including the US Eagles, Canada and Argentina from the Americas. Teams from the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Italy, Russia, Georgia, Romania,South Africa, Namibia, Japan,Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Australia and hosts, New Zealand participated.

Rugby has in the interim period turned professional, like its 13 man counterpart, Rugby League. The United States is actually the reigning Olympic Champions from the 1920's. New Zealand and other major rugby playing countries didn't participate in Olympic tournaments.

While the United States and Canada are used to franchise club competitions and seldom compete in National events outside of the Olympics and world championships, New Zealand and other Commonwealth countries regularly compete across the board in international team events such as rugby union, rugby league, soccer, netball and other sporting codes.

And so it was again during the last seven weeks of pool play and knockout play-offs. From the spectacular opening ceremony,four weeks of pool play, the quarter-finals, the semi-finals, and the grand final held last Sunday evening New Zealand time.

The emotionalism, the angst and the sheer nationalism came to the fore, after 24 years of failing to bring home the bacon as we say in New Zealand. The All Blacks played their tournament before a stadium of nearly four and a half million - the population of the country. And this time they succeeded, became Rugby World Cup Champions - the champions of the world - and ownership of the game of rugby union for the next four years. Their field of dreams and retention of the Webb Ellis Cup, the ultimate trophy in this worldwide sport.

The Rugby World Cup is the third biggest sporting event in the world behind the Olympics, and the Soccer World Cup. And a nation sighed in sheer relief! The most extraordinary result has seen New Zealand play-off against France for first and second places as in 1987, and Australia and Wales play off for third and fourth places respectively. Just the order was changed for the latter this time.

http://anzacbloggersunite.blog.co.uk
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Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Child marriage robs 10 million girls a year of their childhood...

Is this a Child Marriage?Image by Nagarick via Flickr



Child marriage robs 10 million girls a year of their childhood...

Child marriage robs 10 million girls a year of the childhood - 25,000 every day.
A harmful practice, child marriage denies girls their rights to health, education and security.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4v3vq5-z8Y 


http://blogging-along-with-pete.wallinside.com/
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Sunday, October 16, 2011

GBE2 Blog on: There is now clarity in the land - NZ is in the final of the Rugby World Cup...

The Rugby World Cup trophy - the William Webb ...Image via Wikipedia

 


  • GBE2 Blog on:
    222906_10150203715089453_520014452_7108840_5695865_n
    There is now clarity in the land - the future of the Rugby World Cup is now in the hands of the New Zealand All Blacks. It is theirs to win or lose!
    rugby_worldCupFlagSI_220x147
    The future of the hosts New Zealnd in the 2011 Rugby World Cup is finally clear. After a wait of 24 years since they won the first ever Rugby World Cup in 1987, also in NZ, the nation knows there is only one hurdle standing in the way of the mighty All Blacks and a second ever RWC - Les Bleus - France - the bogey team for the All Blacks.

    Yesterday NZ knocked their great neigbours and rivals out of the reckoning for the cup, with a magnificent effort and 20-6 semi-final win against two time cup winners Australia. The day before in the other semi-final the French had knocked out an extremely unlucky Wales from making the finals of the cup. Neither France or Wales have won a cup.

    New Zealand has been knocked out of reckoning by France in two previous world cups, including the quarter finals just four years ago. New Zealand the perennially ranked Number One side in world rugby union. NZ had also lost their previous final against South Africa in 1995, in South Africa, in extra time by a single 3 point dropped goal. They had been undoubtably the favourites and top ranked team in world rugby.

    Now that has all been consigned to history. Just six weeks ago 20 teams from all parts of the globe including the US, Canada and Argentina from the Americas; from Europe; the United Kingdom and Ireland; Africa; Asia; Australasia and the Pacific competed in pool play over four weeks. Twelve teams returned home and eight remained for the knockout playoffs.

    Now the finalists have been found:

    Australia will playoff with the terribly unlucky Welsh side for third and fourth.

    New Zealand will play France in the grand final for the Webb Ellis Cup - the supreme trophy in world rugby union football.

    That much is clear - in just one week it will all be over and a new RWC champion crowned - the unofficial world champion as well.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/webb_ellis_cup

    http://anzacbloggersunite.blog.co.uk

    http://blogging-along-with-pete.wallinside.com
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Thursday, October 13, 2011

Obama intiminated by Gaga's 16 inch heels...

 
Lady Gaga 'intimidated' President Obama with her 16-inch heels
The heels scareth the man...
Even the President of the United States is scared of Lady Gaga's footwear.

Gaga met President Barack Obama a few weeks back at a California fundraiser, where no, she didn't do something ridiculous or try to ambush the Pres, but instead acted modestly and appropriately, even waiting in line with all the mere mortals to have a photo and a minute of his time.

But even on her best behaviour, the singer managed to make an impression…or perhaps, her shoes did.

As per usual, Gaga was rocking a ridiculous pair of heels, and President Obama admitted after event that he was a little taken aback by the singer's choice of footwear.
 
"She was wearing 16-inc heels. She was 8 feet tall. It was a little intimidating," he said.

And this is a guy who's pretty much in charge of the global economy.

Gaga for President?

 http://entertainment.msn.co.nz/blog.aspx?blogentryid=936121&showcomments=true

http//blogging-along-with-pete.wallinside.com
Stalk your fave celebs
 
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Monday, October 10, 2011

The mask slipped and we saw the other side of John Key the PM of New Zealand...

John Key, New Zealand politicianImage via Wikipedia This blog is not normally a political blog, but with only weeks to the New Zealand general elections I think this issue should be reviewed on this blog.

The PM, John key, refuses to name the person he alleges claimed that Standard and Poors said it was more likely to downgrade New Zealand if Labour  won power at the coming elections.

Standard and Poors has publicly denied saying that. Phil Goff claims the statement was a breach of privilege. Because any privilege claim couldn't be made until after the elections, it is really immaterial. I think PM John Key knew that when he made the false claim!

All voters can really do is consider whether they have any future faith in a person who appears to have misled the country. Should the voting public vote for Pinnochio? If one happens to read this post, you get another side to John key. Some have said the mask came off and the real persona came through?



This will give readers from overseas a good look at the man who wants a second term as prime minister of New Zealand.

 http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/57462.html

http://peteskiwiforum.blogspot.com

http://blogging-along-with-pete.wallinside.com

http://peter-petterson.blogspot.com
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Wednesday, October 5, 2011

GBE2 Blog on: Balance

a lit cigarette in an ashtrayImage via Wikipedia

GBE2 Blog on: Balance...

I have been looking at the subject of Balance and wondered just where my wandering and wondering mind would take me. Should I look at the Rugby World Cup tournament that has  been unfolding here in New Zealand during the last four weeks, or look at something far more constructive as a subject. No, they don't wear helmets or extensive body padding in rugby. Ha ha!  I've found one. That dirty filthy habit of cigarette smoking.

Hey, what a damn hypocrite, Peter, you smoked for 32 years, didn't you? Yes indeedy, I did smoke that damned filthy weed for 32 years. As a consequence I can discuss this subject with  a little authority.

I totally support the policies of our New Zealand government in relation to the purchase and control of cigarette smoking in our country. They are tryng to deter smoking through increasing  taxation,  public controls on advertising and where smoking  is allowed.

New Zealand has led the world on many social issues over many decades, and did again by introducing smoking bans  a number of years ago in licenced premises such as hotels, bars, clubs and restaurants. A number of countries have followed suit, including your State of California.

New Zealand like our very close neighbours, Australia, has  used  some pretty strong anti-smoking language and images  on cigarette packaging outlining the health issues of smoking. The next phase is to introduce plain packaging to prevent company advertising.

So where does Balance come into the debate? As a blogging friend on another site suggested as we were having a private conversation about smoking in the United kingdom, human rights comes into the issue. As I stated the issue is now one of protecting non-smokers rights to have a non-polluted environment, against the so-called rights of smokers.

So 'balance' does come into the debate and smokers have to accept that society now disapproves of smoking in public and private buildings. Non-smoking adults and children have a basic human right  to live in a non-polluted environment, while smokers have a right to smoke outdoors as long as they do not pollute the atmosphere of non-smokers. Naturally those who live on their own have the right to smoke indoors.

I would support smokers being able to sit on a park bench and smoke a cigarette, whether a tailor-made or rolled tobacco cigarette, as long as they put their butts in a container provided, or take them away with them. This right would  be negated if a non-smoker is also sitting at the same park bench. Smokers should have the right  to smoke outdoors on their own properties. This is, in my opinion a balanced compromise to ensure the human rights of both smokers and non-smokers are protected.

http://anzacbloggersunite.blog.co.uk
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Monday, October 3, 2011

10 reasons why I don't jog...

WHISTLER, CANADA - FEBRUARY 24:  Marcus Hellne...Image by Getty Images via @daylife

10 Reasons why I don't jog...:yes:
:>>
1. My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was 60. She's 97 now & we don't know where the heck she is.
2. The only reason I would take up jogging is so that I could hear heavy breathing again.
3. I joined a health club last year, spent about 400 bucks. Haven't lost a pound. Apparently you have to show up.
4. I have to exercise in the morning before my brain figures out what I'm doing.
5. I don't exercise at all. If God meant us to touch our toes, he would have put them further up our body.
6. I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.
7. I have flabby thighs, but fortunately my stomach covers them.
8. The advantage of exercising every day is that you die healthier.
9. If you are going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country.
10. I don't jog. It makes the ice jump right out of my glass.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/210244/the_jogger/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jogging
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Sunday, October 2, 2011

Old guys can tie a tie - can the one handed texters?

"Fringe" Panel. Actors Lance Reddick...Image via Wikipedia
B)Old guys can still tie a tie. Young guys can text with one hand - but can they tie a tie?

Joshua Jackson:
My teenaged son can text with one hand, change out the brake pads on a car and bait a hook without lacerating a finger.

He knows obscure facts about economic theories, tells corny jokes at the supper table and has one of the smoothest golf swings I’ve ever seen.

But there’s one thing he can’t do that I can do with my eyes closed.
He cannot tie a necktie!

http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2011-10-01/old-guys-are-fit-be-tied
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEpXsLznKUA
http://communitybloggersevolve.blog.co.uk
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