The phoenix turns into a Toxic Avenger

Big news...I'm about to re-join the ranks of the Toxic Avengers.

Becoming an Avenger again is something I didn't actually think I would do, but decided that circumstances necessitate it.

I can't be totally sure, but I think the Toxic Avengers have a good claim for the longest continuous franchise in Manly-Warringah Basketball Association history. From the originators in 1988-1989 (or possibly a year or two earlier) as the Toxic Avengers, the team nucleus underwent a name change in memoriam to Dorks'R'Us in the mid 1990's. The rotation of players gained and lost rebuilt the core, now under the "ownership" of a worthy guy (not James Worthy, although that would be great). The current team of the Toxic Avengers is not all cut from the same cloth as the originals (i.e. from the same school, the original criteria for joining), but the spirit is consistent and present.

Lucky they didn't take my player profile down when I left, isn't it?

Insert tagline here...

Twenty-two Yards - The installation

Twenty-two Yards is an installation that grew out of a germ of an idea owing to the Australian male psyche being infatuated with sports, and many of the details thereof.

Twenty-two Yards is a simple, disposable installation created from found objects, the realisation of which resulted in three cylindrical forms striking upwards from a level base.

The comparisons area obvious, yet the fact that it is a single grouping has significance. Is it the end? Is it the beginning? Why is there no horizontal piece? Is it the culmination of a days endeavour? Is the piece awaiting the gladiators to move and gambol around it?

Insert tagline here...

Sometimes you wonder about "science"

Yet another premature birth, with complications, as the result of IVF.

Read.

Heralded as a miracle, due to the baby surviving after a mere 21 weeks in the womb, I cant help but feel thats its quite the opposite.

Far be it for me to deny people their desires to be parents, articles and occurrences such as this serve to highlight the fact that we are dealing with a force of nature that is far too great for our own affairs.

I'm lucky. My wife and I have two great children through natural means. I know of women who have been through IVF. One has come out with two kids, both healthy. One has come out the other end with nothing but a reduced bank balance and a broken heart. Both of them started families later in life. Perhaps thats the problem. Provide means and reasons to have a family early, while the biology is working nicely, and avoid waiting till the biology begins to go on the fritz.

It reminds me of the line that "your generation cannot be considered a success until it spawns the next generation". Biology, plain and simple.

Insert tagline here...

The AFL - AwFuL

What is wrong with the AFL?

Four players have become involved in a 'betting scandal', which simply means they placed monetary wagers on the outcomes of games, or the competition (the Flag). The players didnt even bet on their own team or matches.

Four players, three named publicly as having been a part of this 'scandal' (you'll see why I use the '' in a second, so stay with me), are up for all manner of sentences from large fines to suspension.

This, following last season where three top grade players were found to have failed drug tests. They were not named. They could still be playing.

Someone places a $5 bet on another team to win a game they're not playing in. Can someone explain why this is worse than taking illegal and perfomance enhancing drugs?

Insert tagline here...

The School of 'sit and wait photography'

Hello.
Stuck in a rainstorm this morning. In a car. Waiting for the rain to stop so I could get out and get into my meeting.

This is what resulted.

Insert tagline here...

Things I Am Not

I am not a big man.

I am not Skipper, Private, Rico or Kowalski.

I am not an artist.

I am not The Stig.

Insert tagline here...

Keith Urban - self-righteous toss?

Keith Urban (country singer from Australia) is trying to force another Keith Urban (oil painter from America) to assign his domain name to him.

Apparently, people might get confused if they visit keithurban.com and and not keithurban.net. Visit them both and see if you can pick the difference between the two men. One is an oil painter, the other one is a country singer.

Keith (I'm ashamed to say, Australian Keith) must think people are pretty stupid to confuse the two. Maybe the booze has gotten to Keith's brain.

Insert tagline here...

The Three Greatest Automotive Videos Of All Time

Climb Dance
Ari Vatanen at Pikes Peak, 1988




Rendezvous
Film director Claude Lelouch and a Ferrai 275GTB in 1976 - all public roads, no closures, magic



The Run
Nissan 350Z advertising material, copy of Rendezvous, in Prague - closed roads and controlled conditions




Insert tagline here...

You're looking in the wrong direction

Recent reports of yet another rising sports star being involved in a drink-driving incident, and an unlicensed drink-driving incident at that, highlights what a moral and ethical vacuum elite sports has become.

Consider the case of Kurtly Beale. Promising young rugby footballer, by all reports a great talent. Breath tested and charged with drink-driving and being unlicensed. Great role model too, so far.

Then there's the response from NSW Waratahs Coach Ewen McKenzie. Equally perplexing.

And of course, you cant go past a blab like this without mentioning Australia's cricketers. And on it goes.

But what can we expect when people like Mark O'Meley make it known that an offer of payment for playing rugby league football for the next year is 'unacceptable'?

You want a solid role model? Dont pay someone $150,000 a year to run around and expect them to spend their spare time leisurely, then see what happens.

Insert tagline here...