BEIJING’S BELUGA WHALES PLAYING SOCCER
In a Beijing aquarium, two Beluga whales are photographed playing whale soccer.
–AP photo. (more…)
COMIC POLITICO TV: JULIA GILLARD’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FOR ASIAN AUSTRALIANS & FRIENDS 2012
Funny TV Quotes: “My dear remaining fellow Australians… The end of the world is coming. It wasn’t Y2K, it wasn’t even the carbon price… Whether the final blow comes from flesh eating zombies, demonic hell beasts or from the total triumph of K-pop, if you know one thing about me it is this: I will always fight for you to the very end…
Julia Gillard does her best Maggie Iron-Tile Thatched rusty red roof, TVC impersonation in response to Mayan Calendar superstitious predictions that the globe we live on is meant to be all over on December 21 this year. Economists are working so hard against Christmas cheer this year… I thought she was quite funny in rebutting that. (more…)
RUGBY FARMER ANDREW HORE’S NOVEMBER 2012 INTERVIEW AND FREDERIC MICHELAK, RICHIE McCAW, DANIEL CARTER AND OWEN FARRELL MAKE INTERNATIONAL RUGBY’S TOP HONORS NOMINEES LIST 2012
Photo: Will, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen and Andrew Hore post the Novemember 24th rugby test against Wales in Cardiff, 2012. Credit: Getty Images.
IN RUGBY SPORTS NEWS: A sports interview after a controversial week in the UK’s sports tabloids for the All Blacks side and international rugby’s top honors nominees finalists for 2012 have been announced same day.
The NZ All Blacks hooker Andrew Hore seemed sincere at press time after his IRB Q+A session post a high tackle hit on Welsh rugby lad Bradley Davies that led to the Welshman seeing a few stars in a hospital mid match. The TV interview link can be viewed on Andrew and Will‘s pic above.
Photo: France’s Frederic Michelak and fan, TeeMix website.
Quick Summary: Lorne Crerar speaking for the IRB said from Bristol, although Andrew’s actions appeared to be deliberate and dangerous, he didn’t strike the player’s head (say is in boxing or rugby punch ups as were witnessed in the good old days of rugby football). Andrew could have had an 8 week ban from the sport’s code, yet his remorse meant a two week ban from the sport. As it is year’s end, the ruling is very fair too.
[Will and Dan Carter in Cardiff Wales, November 24th 2011, a Getty photo].
What the AIG sponsored and NZ player said: “It’s not the All Black way. I’ve let myself and the team down and probably the whole country that’s pretty proud of what we do. I hope Bradley Davies gets back up and running and playing in the Heineken Cup as soon as he can.”
[Will and Richie McCaw in Cardiff, Nov 24th 2012-Getty photo].
As expected Hore will miss this weekend’s season-ending Test against England as well as the Highlanders’ Super Rugby pre-season campaign and their first regular season match against the Chiefs. For an elite rugby star, that is torture enough, to miss your next sport’s appearance, I’m sure. Europe fans of the game, should be happy with that.
Steve Tew’s Comments: NZRU’s Steve Tew said as reported by RadioNZ, “they chose to remain quiet about the system because they didn’t want to influence the hearing.” Sensible. That approach worked for a good result.
In Rugby’s Gongs for the year in Review: Press Release:
Rugby’s IRB Player of the Year 2012 Award Finalists: 11-28-2012.
The International Rugby Board has announced the shortlist of nominees for the prestigious IRB Player of the Year 2012 Award.
New Zealand captain Richie McCaw, his teammate Dan Carter, England fly half Owen Farrell and France fly half Frédéric Michalak are the four players on the shortlist.
[Photo: Owen Farrell of England with ball at a practice run- Getty Images photo via [Zimbio]
McCaw is the only player to receive the individual accolade more than once, having won it in 2006, 2009 and 2010, although Carter could join him as a multiple winner, having been named Player of the Year back in 2005.
For the third year in a row the shortlist includes a player to have graduated from the IRB Junior World Championship to the Test arena with Farrell following in the footsteps of Australian trio David Pocock, Will Genia and Kurtley Beale.
The winner of the prestigious Award will be announced at the Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool Allocation Draw in London on December 3, along with the IRB Coach of the Year and IRB Team of the Year Awards.
Photo: Two of New Zealand rugby’s proponents of rugby football, Zinzan Brooke and NZRU’s main main Steve Tew.
WELSH & BRIT FLOOD VICTIMS NEED OUR LOVE
The river Elway has flooded Wales. The flood news can be read here. 900 Brits and 500 Welsh have evacuated their homes.
To support the township that’s the most flooded, here’s a link to St Kentigern Hospice, who does amazing work all year round.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 29.11.12~
RUGBY’S AARON SMITH PLAYS CARDS WITH CORY JANE AND MA’A IN CARDIFF
NZ/ AIG’s Rugby cowboys on a European tour. Watch.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 27.11.12~
DOCTOR WHO? GET ON THE TRAIN – ANDREW HORE, ALL BLACKS RUGBY HOOKER WORKS THE LONDON TABLOIDS
The UK tabloids, sports section, are loving the Andrew Hore bad behavior rugby story for the New Zealand All Blacks European Tour show in Wales 2012. Check it out. Sport Balla website has all of the tut tut sports gossip. It’s all very ”Stefani Germanotta political-celebrity satirical-like at a Parisian Thierry Muglar fashion show” appearing in the tabloids with Dr Who London red telephone booths. And a bit kinda Rod Stewart soccer too with trains to boot via The Western Mail printed page. The result? Andy is now AIG credible as a tabloid star.
While farmer Andy is getting his 15 minutes of fame in Europe shouldering the media zoom, we concurrently are also rocking a Hobbit Show premiere build up in NZ, while simultaneously trying to hock off a River Power company too (more…)
NOT THUGS – STEVE HANSEN’S RUGBY PR NOVEMBER 2012
"Not thugs."
–Steve Hansen does rugby PR. Photo Getty.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 26.11.12~
RUGBY NEWS: NEW ZEALAND ALL BLACKS 33. WALES 10.
Rugby News: New Zealand’s rugby All Blacks last performance on the rugby football pitch against Wales. The result? The All Blacks 33. Wales 10.
Wales 10 (S. Williams, A. Cuthbert tries). New Zealand 33 (L. Messam, T. Woodcock, L. Romano tries; A. Cruden 2 cons, 5 pens).
Aaron Cruden who stood in for legendary NZ kicker, Daniel Carter performed well too, the duration of the test. The depth of talent in the Steve Hansen coached side is evident. Quick ball from the AB’s was a disntictive aspect of the New Zealand side’s winning play.
[Photo: Power rugby player Julian Savea with ball in hand against Wales. Photo: Getty Images].
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 25.11.12~
OWEN FRANKS & TEAM BUDS HAVE SOME RUGBY FOOTBALL TO PLAY IN WALES
Piri Weepu and Aaron Smith.
New Zealand’s All Blacks team to play Wales is:
Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Julian Savea, Daniel Carter, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Brodie Retallick, Victor Vito, Piri Weepu, Aaron Cruden, Ben Smith.
Photos: TV3 & Getty / Zimbio. A good opportunity for Wales to be made stronger playing the current world champions.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 22.11.12~
KIERAN READ EXPECTS 80 TOUGH – ALL BLACKS v WALES
“80 tough” says Kieran Read of what to expect in the upcoming rugby test match between New Zealand and Wales at Cardiff.
Whatever works I guess. Exciting rugby. :) (more…)
JULIA GILLARD HONORS HER FATHER – 19th SEPTEMBER 2012
Julia Gillard honors her father. What a beautiful speech from Canberra.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 20.9.12~
SHARD MAJESTIC INSTANCY POETRY – FRANCIS THOMPSON POEMS – GOLD GATEWAY OF THE STARS
Creative writing: In my Kiwi dream, I woke up today in New Zealand with a vision of Francis Thompson‘s hounds of heaven all up in the Maori King‘s tribal mix, beside a mighty river.
How did that happen? :)
Oh right! It happened via Eternal TV, who flew some winged-poetry:
I fled Him, down the nights and down the days; I fled Him, down the arches of the years; I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways Of my own mind; and in the midst of tears I hid from Him, and under running laughter. Up vistaed hopes I sped; And shot, precipitated, Adown Titanic glooms of chasmed fears, From those strong Feet that followed, followed after. But with unhurrying chase, And unperturbèd pace, Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,
MAORI SPORTS ALL BLACKS 2012, CREATING 200,000 JOBS & 5 PEOPLE WE’RE READING – SUNDAY 9.9.12
I just tuned into the Marae Investigates TV program. Willie Jackson and Scotty Morrison were discussing the NZ All Blacks rugby football team. Liam Messam and Piri Weepu were the shizzle. Hosea Gear should have played better. And the New Zealand Maori All Blacks team when they go on tour, should really be playing England and Wales to help these two teams get up to speed with their level of international rugby. Not a bad idea at all! There’s a lot of talk too on the Q+A program about jobs creation, water’s economic profits distribution flows and water’s conservation, and the NZ government still flogging the horse of selling the New Zealand citizens’ owned assets program.
In regards to jobs, I often wonder how we can create more without stripping the landscape so much. Renewable flows as products are more sustainable (like dairy as grass that makes milk regrows itself, whereas coal does not for example) to develop. Of course we need a blend of non-renewable exports and renewable exports leaving NZ, right at this time. We’re in the red as a nation and need to get out of that quagmire of vampiric debt. The Maori All Blacks on tour should help show England, Wales and rugby fans of the world, the creative strength of Maori in creating play. These are the skills also needed to grow an economy from a gridlocked position, into one that is thriving, through decreasing debt by creating more.
Talk is cheap. Promises are mirages without delivery. Promises not delivered on are not as real as an awa (a river) before us. (more…)
JULIA GILLARD’S FATHER JOHN GILLARD DIES, AGED 93
Julia Gillard is leaving the APEC meeting in Vladivostok, eastern Russia and returning home upon the news that her father has died, officials said today.
The Australian prime minister’s parents John and Moira lived in Pasadena in South Australia.
They moved from Wales to Adelaide in 1966 after learning that daughter Julia, born in 1961, suffered bronchopneumonia and the warmer climate in Australia would help the condition.
Mr Gillard, who was 93, worked as a psychiatric nurse but before that had been a coal miner. She has a sister Alison, who is three years older.
-Newstalk ZB.
Sending condolences Ms. Gillard’s family’s way.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 9.9.12~
WARREN GATLAND LIONS RUGBY COACH REACHES OUT TO COACH ROBBIE DEANS
Newly appointed rugby coach of the British and Irish Lions rugby team (Wales head coach) Warren Gatland, reaches out in his press today to Australia’s head rugby coach Robbie Deans.
News.Com.Australia has the story of dual coaching rivalry and camaraderie in the competitive code of rugby football sports. In case you were wondering, yes, Gatland is still a New Zealander. He is the second Kiwi coach (Graham Henry being the first) of the Lions rugby side. Robbie Deans has come under fire for the Wallabies teams recent test losses.
What I think: Clearly, Deans just needs to eat three times more than he currently is, to keep with the fashion of the world’s top rugby coaches. Maybe Robbie just needs more stamina like the big white boys have become accumstomed to carrying on themselves, in coaching circles of rugby. It seems to be the new look these days of rugby coaches. Robbie should beef up to avoid the media backlash and getting picked on.
Seriously though, being coach of the no.2 team in the world is an achievement of Deans and his Australian team to be proud of.
[Robbie Deans photo: Rugby Sports.Ie]
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 5.9.12~
GLOBAL FOOD COSTS RISING, NEW ZEALAND’S FUN VIEWS & WORLD NEWS – 22nd AUGUST 2012
Audience zooms honing in from around the world, look like so today:
World news by the zooms are:
Global pick: Lessons can be learnt from Every Child Counts – Unicef.
Syria: About 2500 Syrians flee to Turkey over past 24 hours. August 22 report.
USA: Agriculture – Corn, soy prices hit new records, Weather: hurricane fears build, War jade: Americans tune out Afghan war as fighting rages on, Abortion, Lifestyle or bad economy?: Americans Having Fewer Babies Since 2008, Old news: 'Risk of double-dip recession' rises, Campaign: Ryan gives Romney lead in Wisconsin, Talk Show reshuffles: ABC - Kimmel now @11.35pm, Military & top rabbi consults. Wastage: Americans & their fridge, Frank Sinatra is a woman: Albright: Blame Bush 'Forever.' Romney & Mormonism/ Mason ties. Paul Ryans: Paul Ryan's rage for the machine.
Lake Wanaka’s Vitner Views–Dream New Zealand.
New Zealand: Auckland and lava flows – study, Devastating to isolated community: Sex abuse teacher ‘not a monster’ (& more), Kiwi soldiers begin journey home, Profits soar at Kiwibank, NZ dollar falls, as stocks across Asia decline. Kuzma skiing - World Cup, There she goes: Madeleine Sami’s Super City gets a second season, Rising talent: Cycling: NZ dominate UCI Junior Track qualifiers, Oil spill in river. Ngai Tuhoe news, Tech: Massey & Weta combine talents. Soccer: Boxall, NRL: Warriors go wide for new coach. NZ on Air TV programming announcements. And: Fletcher Building reviews NZ business. Market rolls: Kiwi down ahead of FOMC. Photos: Cherry Trees. Waikato: Economy tanks outside of dairy. Southlanders urged to party more.
UK: Prince Harry. Post Olympics: Stimulating an economic reboot. News@The Telegraph. Media snooping.
Wales: NHS Wales’ medical negligence payouts doubles to £38m.
Australia: Julia Gillard in the hot seat. Axe your bank: 10 signs it’s time to switch, Aussie water planning. Traffic: M2 motorists face cost ramp-up, NSW coastie tales, Titans offer Suns olive branch, Military gender bias: Women in ADF can’t flourish: Broderick, Sydney’s hippest hoods, Aussies newspapers woes.
Germany: Need coordination between ECB, Germany and Germany Doesn’t Help Europe by Undermining the Euro. Travel Germany.
Canada: Avril Lavigne engaged. Weather woes: In Canada, ‘non-ethnic’ is still the norm. Immigration Canada’s website. New Snowbird fleet on military’s agenda. Diana Krall debuts ‘Just Like a Butterfly’ on canada.com. Environment watch: The Narwhal.
France: France’s Hollande to meet head of Syrian opposition.
Brazil: Electricity: Brazil to Weigh Celpa Requests as Judge Seeks Bid Resolution. BRIC status: Brazil With Lowest Performance 1st Half Of 2012 Among BRIC Countries, One more: Santos rejects Sao Paulo bid for Brazil star Ganso.
Italy: Aug 21 report.
Netherlands: Manchester United sign Netherlands international Alexander Buttner for £3.9m, Property: Netherlands House Prices Dropped the Most on Record Last Month.
Turkey: Unrest - 9 killed, 68 injured in blast in southeast Turkey, PKK denies responsibility,
Poland: Get to know Poland. And: RPT-Poland clears legal hurdle for IPO of utility ZE PAK.
Ecuador: Ecuador on Julian Assange
Japan: Ninja 007.
India: New Indian expressway cuts travel time to Taj Mahal. Indian lovebirds and NZ?
Russia: Russia rejects Obama threat to Assad. OilWatch: Syria & Russia’s oil deal on the table,
American Peter Thiel with NZ links has sold $1.2b stake in Facebook - a spying agency and social network service. Good for him! Photo: New Zealand Herald.
Ski in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Maori News: Scotty Morrison and his team – to read their takes on today’s news, jet to it here.
Featured story: Lisa Carrington casts her eyes towards Rio 2016. Watch in Te Reo Rangatira (NZ’s Language of Chiefs).
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 22.8.12~
THE ROCK HAS HOLLYWOOD HEAT
The no.1 most voted Hollywood actor today is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Currently filming in the Chris Morgan penned script, The Fast & The Furous 6, The Rock is also slated to star in Anthony and Joe Russo‘s movie Ciudad and in the Chuck Russell remake of Arabian Knights with Australia’s Liam Hemsworth and Wales’ Anthony Hopkins.
The Rock is also the 3rd most influential box office earning actor in Hollywood, according to Forbes magazine 2012. He is a good example of sports-Hollywood cross over as a star construct.
Read more at Industry website IMDB.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 31.7.12~
KRISTEN STEWART IS DRIVING THE TABLOIDS THIS WEEK – JULY 30th 2012
Kristen Stewart‘s outrageous press. Talk of rambling apologies, a moving van, hiffing stuff out of a Hollywood Hills home. Read it all at E!. And as a side note: Eric Dane is said to be moving on too in TV La La-Land medical dramas. Too funny!
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 30.7.12~
EL STAMPS
Elevated Eye see You.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 28.7.12~
EMPIRE OF THE SUN
Cartwheel tides across the empire of the sun. π
Photo pick: Fanpop.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 25.7.12~
GLIMMERFIELDS – MATTHEW FRANCIS POETRY, WALES
midnight faring slow-under-wool settle down wallow lullaby lea lullaby lea long reckoning tremble noctis glimmerfields wanders end wanders end
–poet Matthew Francis was born in Hampshire. He teaches at Wales Aberystwyth University.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 7.4.12~

































