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They’re Just Umpires

August 28, 2011 by Paul Daniel

Hey Tim Lane, Stephen Quartermaine and Robert Walls (you especially Robert). And all of your colleagues who are radio and television commentators.

The bloke on the left here is Ray Chamberlain. Or Umpire Chamberlain would probably be better. His name is not Razor Ray. Nor is his name Ray. Well, it is, I suppose, but I don’t often hear you referring to Nick or Nick or Nick. It’s usually (Nick) Riewoldt or (Nick) Dal Santo or (Nick) Maxwell.

Brett Rosebury profile

Equally, the guy on the right is Brett Rosebury. He’s one of our better umpires, certainly better than the previously mentioned Ray Chamberlain. His name is not The Umpire.

Can you and all your commentator mates start treating them the same and stop trying to elevate some of them onto pedestals in the same way that we expect you to with the players please.

They are just umpires and you are contributing to the situation where some of them seem to think that they, rather than the players are what people go to see on a weekly basis.

Posted in AFL, Sport | Leave a Comment »

Radio Paradise

July 10, 2011 by Paul Daniel

A colleague, Doug, put me onto Radio Paradise recently. I am surprised I haven’t found it before this – I’m constantly on the lookout for what I consider to be quality streaming radio stations on the net.

These guys, Bill & Rebecca, play a fantastic, eclectic mix of modern and classic rock, world music, electronica and more, as the banner says above.

The other thing I like about it is that you get to hear a bunch of artists from around the world that you wouldn’t necessarily hear on Australian radio. There’s no ads, and just a very short back announce every three or four songs or so.

I encourage you to check it out by clicking here.

Posted in Music, Radio | Leave a Comment »

It’s An Honour. Really?

June 13, 2011 by Paul Daniel

Each Australia Day and Queen’s Birthday, I enjoy reading through the list of people who have received honours. I don’t always agree with the reasons people have been honoured and also get frustrated with the way the politicians look after themselves and their mates. However, I always admire people who commit to a cause and give it their all.

So today, I went to The Age web site to check the list. It could be my failing eyes, and I didn’t have my glasses on, but nowhere could I find reference to the list. Hmm, is this the same newspaper that wants to make a return to quality? Good call I’d say.

I then searched for “queens birthday honours” in my browser and the first hit was for www.itsanhonour.gov.au. Ah, that’ll be it. No, firstly you get to click on a database link for all recipients, ever. Not quite what I wanted.

Next you get referred to the Attorney General’s web site, to try and find the copy of the Government Gazette where they are listed. Too hard!

Finally, you get referred to the Governor General’s web site. I’m assuming that’s where they’ll be, but I won’t know just now – the web site’s down.

So to all those who received honours, congratulations. It’s just a pity it’s so damn hard to find you.

Posted in Government, Media, Opinion | Leave a Comment »

Who’s Investigating the State Ombudsman?

June 4, 2011 by Paul Daniel

The Age has reported this morning that the Office of Police Integrity is investigating Sir Ken Jones and a ministerial adviser. (http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/ministers-aide-tried-to-persuade-sir-ken-to-stay-20110603-1fl5n.html)

The State Ombudsman is, in turn, investigating the OPI.

I have a simple question. Who’s investigating the State Ombudsman?

Posted in Politics, Victoria | Leave a Comment »

GOM Warning

June 3, 2011 by Paul Daniel

image

A friend suggested yesterday that I need to include a GOM warning on my Twitter posts, and I guess by extension, my blog posts.

BTW, I was assuming by GOM, she meant Grumpy Old Man. I suppose she could have meant Good Ol’ Man, but somehow, I don’t think so.

It made me actually go and do a count of the number of “negative” blog posts recently – to my horror (promise), seven of the last nine have involved me having a rant.

image

I just want everyone to be reassured that I really am a very happy, easy-going sort of bloke, not prone to outrage or the like.

I am sure this recent negativity can be put down to being laid up for the last five weeks with two slipped discs in my back. There’s no telling what being stuck in bed and not being able to work can do to one. Yeah, that must be the reason.

And just to prove that things have turned around, I promise not to blog (rant?) about my recent experiences with the medical profession (and I use that last word advisedly).

Have a lovely day.

Open-mouthed smile

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

United Energy – Please Come Into The 21st Century

June 2, 2011 by Paul Daniel

I had the same, generally annual, discussion with my electricity retailer today. It, or I should say United Energy, hasn’t been able to read our electricity meter for a couple of years.

The reason is that we have gates at the front of the property and people are here irregularly during the week. We’re comforted by the fact there are two dogs, one of whom is a rottweiler cross, who will happily tear your arm off if you decide to jump the gate though.

For some reason, United Energy needs to physically see its water meter, love it, caress it, make passionate love to it, etc regularly, as well as noting down the numbers on it.

I ask the same question every year – why doesn’t United Energy allow me to take a photo of my meter and send it to them? My water provider allows me to do that. I can either call them, e-mail them something, or even SMS the meter reading to them.

United Energy, you need to come into the 21st Century!

Posted in Opinion, Service Providers | 2 Comments »

Andy Murray & Poor Sportsmanship

May 31, 2011 by Paul Daniel

I’m currently watching the French Open on Foxtel. Andy Murray is playing Viktor Troicki, the underdog, and it is two sets all with games on serve in the final set.

Troicki has played a great point and clearly beaten Murray, but one of the ball kids has prematurely run onto the court, thus the point must be replayed. Troicki quietly disputes the ruling, but then goes back to receive the replayed Murray serve.

Andy Murray – you had the opportunity to demonstrate superior sportsmanship by throwing that point. You knew you weren’t entitled to it. You were clearly beaten when the point was played the first time. But you didn’t, did you?

You just lost me and, I am sure, a massive number of tennis-watching people around the world. I hope you lose this match and that your generally unimpressive performances continue throughout the rest of your career.

Unfortunately, you have just demonstrated one of the fundamental problems with professional tennis. It is generally played by people who are absurdly overpaid for what they do, and who, in a lot of cases, lack any sort of grace, humility or SPORTSMANSHIP.

Posted in Tennis | 1 Comment »

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