Nic’s blog
I write about building businesses, failing and building a life, not a legacy.
8am on a Saturday
It's 8am, it's Saturday, I went out last night but I am awake. Why you may ask, am I awake? Well the answer is simple, I live in a Town-house complex and apparently they don't like people sleeping in town-house complexes.You see the joy of living in a town-house complex such as mine is that you share a wall with your neighbour. I am not talking about a perimeter wall, I'm talking about a shared living room, bedroom, bathroom wall. My moronic neighbour seems to dislike me because at 7:30am this morning he decided it was a good time to start drilling and grinding and hammering on this shared wall. I am sure that he loves the fact that his Saturday has started out being productive. But how about being silently productive? Pray, walk around the house, use the internet, phone, radio, cook, clean, wash, have sex, noisy sex if you like, JUST DON'T FUCKING DRILL AND GRIND AT 8AM IN THE MORNING!
Southern Hemisphere Sports Domination?
Chatting to a mate of mine about sports while watching the Proteas whop Pakistan today, we decided that it's pretty sweet to live in the Southern Hemisphere. We both decided that the Southern Hemisphere (SH) dominates the world of sports in many areas.I decided that I should do some research in to this, and guess what I found? I found a lot of tables by alot of sources, took me a few minutes to find some reliable ranking pages but it has been done. Below you will see the tables for Rugby, Football, Hockey, Cricket and Netball.RED teams are Southern Hemisphere
| Position(last week) | Member Union | Rating points |
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| 1(1) | NEW ZEALAND | 92.91 |
| 2(2) | FRANCE | 87.53 |
| 3(3) | SOUTH AFRICA | 87.05 |
| 4(4) | AUSTRALIA | 86.13 |
| 5(5) | IRELAND | 82.01 |
| 6(6) | ENGLAND | 79.66 |
| 7(7) | SCOTLAND | 77.72 |
| 8(8) | ARGENTINA | 77.49 |
| 9(9) | WALES | 76.34 |
| 10(10) | SAMOA | 73.86 |
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1 | Australia | 128 | |
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2 | South Africa | 123 | |
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3 | New Zealand | 114 | |
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4 | Pakistan | 111 | |
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5 | India | 111 | |
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6 | Sri Lanka | 108 | |
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7 | West Indies | 106 | |
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8 | England | 97 | |
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9 | Bangladesh | 34 | |
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10 | Zimbabwe | 30 | |
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11 | Kenya | 0 | ||
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Australia | 130 | |
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2 | England | 119 | |
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3 | Pakistan | 112 | |
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4 | India | 111 | |
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5 | Sri Lanka | 103 | |
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6 | South Africa | 94 | |
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7 | New Zealand | 92 | |
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8 | West Indies | 72 | |
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9 | Zimbabwe | 28 | |
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10 | Bangladesh | 2 | ||
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Fifa World Football Rankings For October 2006 |
| Rank | Team | PtsOct 06 | +/-RankSep 06 | +/-PtsSep 06 |
| 1 | Brazil | 1649 | 0 | 19 |
| 2 | Italy | 1550 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Argentina | 1479 | 0 | 7 |
| 4 | France | 1462 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | England | 1434 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Netherlands | 1322 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Spain | 1309 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Portugal | 1301 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Germany | 1229 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Czech R | 1223 | 0 | 0 |
So there they are... and I think I was wrong... SH is not the place to be in terms of sports. We (when I say we I include all nations, continents and states in the SH for a full list visit Wikipedia) need to do some work, hit the streets, crack the gyms, pump the iron and inject... no wait, thats illegal!!From the top:Rugby4 out of the top 10, 3 of those in the top 4.That pretty good. CricketOne Day Internationals: 5 out of the top 10, 3 of those in the top 3.Test Matches: 4 out of the top 10, 1 in the top position.Thats awesome, Cricket we definately dominate.Football2 in the top 10, 2 of those in the top 3.Thats not so good.Hockey5 out of the top 10, 2 of those in top 2. Thats pretty damn goodNetballMen: 4 out of top 10.Women: 3 out of top 10.Hockey Not So Good.So on average: We are dominated in 3 out of the above 5 sports. we only dominate in 2, Hockey and Cricket and that is merely because we have teams in the top 3.I think that in terms of the above sports there are a few countries that we all need to thank as SH inhabitants:Australia
New Zealand
South Africa
Brazil
Without these four countries, we would have no teams in any of the rankings in the top 5.
First deadline reached
I have officially hit my first deadline. All stories are in and the necessary people (some of them were unnecessary) have called me back. I managed to get all the interviews done and am happy with the results. Welcome to the world of Journalism... I think
Nobody on the phone
To put this simply: It pisses me off that no one answers their damn phones. Do people think that they are too important to answer calls? Are they so damn popular that they are nagged by their phone that they feel the need to ignore it for some peace of mind? Well you know what... it's a weekday, you own a cellphone, you are a business person so ANSWER YOUR PHONE when I call you. I am doing you a favour when I call you, not because I am me and I am fantastic (which is true) but because I am working for a big newspaper who will give your business a boost in clientele once I am finished writing about you. Do me and yourself a favour and step in to 2006, check your mailbox for my email and check your voice message for my calls...better still, answer your phone.
Viewgle - The ShutterView Search Engine
Google Co-Op allows any user with a google account to create and customize their very own search engine. I have created "Find a view" that is visible in my sidebar. Give it a go, see if its worth anything, let me know what you think. Can't promise anything, will try to a more detailed one as time goes on.The interesting thing about this tool is that you have the option to allow any user to update the search engine, or you can simply allow invited guests to help you develop your own search engine. Lets see how it goes!
Flock Extensions - Magic
I have just downloaded a couple of Flock extensions that have made me very happy. One is the international weather forecaster, the best one I've used yet. The other is a built in media player controller so I never have to leave the browser, even to change music. Then I have the "Performancing" tool, which is a pop-up tool at the footer of the browser that you click and it opens up your regular looking blogger interface for posting. It looks, feels and works just like blogger and hopefully will continue to do so.Loving Flock inspite of trying Firefox 2.0. For some reason FF2 or any FF for that matter stalls a heck of a lot on my laptop. Not blaming FF at all, its probably something stupid I did, but the other browsers (Opera, IE7 and Flock) that I have tried work fine.
powered by performancing firefox
Apartheid Flag Flies High
A school in the North-West Province is said to still be flying the old South African Flag on its masts. I found this story on the Citizens news page.
How sad is that? What is wrong with people (that's the second time today that i've asked that question)? Can these fools not see what they are doing to the children at that school?
The Christelike Volksonderwys (CVO) School is apparently still singing Die Stem at school assemblies instead of the new national anthem (I say new as if it was implemented a week ago... IT'S BEEN OVER 10 YEARS!!!!).
School management claims that the old anthem and flag are cultural expression. What the hell does cultural expression have to do with representing the new and 'non-racial' world of South Africa today? These people are morons and I don't feel bad saying that. Wake up and smell 2006 you idiots.
Baby dead, Penis gone... what is going on?
What the fuck is up with the world today? I just read a story on MG Online that tells of a baby that was found by its 3 year old sister. It was dead (murdered) and had its penis removed and missing.This shocks me to the core. It warps me and taints me and makes me completely hate what the world has become. The police say they are still looking for the bottel that may have been a murder weapon.Where were the parent? What baby is out of its own parents care for longer than a minute? Where is the responsibility? I am upset by this. I truly am.
Happy Birthday Swaggs
Ok, so I must admit, I was out last night. Not by choice I might add. It was a friend of mine's birthday. I will mention no names and implicate no man in the deeds of the unknown. None of us were anywhere and no one did anything. We didnt see much the whole evening or do anyon...thing the whole night. It was, all in all, a boring evening of clothed happening and non-alcoholic drinks. I swear it was. I promise.
WHY WONT YOU BELIEVE ME?!?!?!?!?
But I must mention, in a very vague kind of way, that i was a little bit judgemental last night. One of the other party people and I were talking in amongst the boredom, about how we looked down upon the other party goers for their occupations and couldnt actually look at them in any other light. It didnt stop us from 'socialising' with them, but it was definately not the type of crowd I am fond of. I probably wont see those people again for another year if I have anything to do with it, if you know what I mean. If not, your not a guy.
I, Lucifer
Author Glen Duncan
I am reading an extremely interesting book at the moment (I finished Branson's Screw it). I, Lucifer is a novel about the world as seen from the perspective of the devil. The novel is written by Glen Duncan. The book is brilliantly written, cleverly phrased but occasionally a bit too intellectual in regard to its diction and the authors choice of words.
It is however and incredible look at the world and various happenings from the devil's perspective. Things like the devil being cast from heaven by god, drug addiction, suicide, the devil's take on hell and heaven (Why would hell be hot, reckons the devil, would it not be a greater slap in the face to god if hell was more enticing than heaven, if being away from god (in hell) was more enjoyable than being with god (in heaven)). Now I am not advocating devil worship by any means, but this book is just brilliantly written and a fresh take on life.
Last FM Update
I have posted about Last FM before. But I really do feel the need to update my views on this product. It has revolutionised the way that I listen to and gather my music. While listen to my music through ITunes, Last FM picks up the song, "scrobbles" it to their data base and in turn provides you with tags for the music, an artist "About" section, the artist name, song title and album title as well as CD cover art.
It also provides you with the the most incredible feature, Last FM suggests similar music the music you are listening, it takes you to the various suggested bands sites hosted by Last FM where you can listen to the music and see if you like it. This tool alone has changed the way that i source new music. I am not only finding underground, never before heard of bands, but I am finding the bands in the genre's that I am currently in the mood for. My music collection is becoming in depth, diverse and full. Just the way I like it.
Below is a screen shot illustrating Last FM telling me about the band Trapt.
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Google Share price reaches 9 month High
Not only has Google's share price recently reached $459,67, but it has surpassed HP, the worlds largest technology company's market value of $108 billion, at $143 billion.This is unbelievable. I picked up the Google Share Price Story on the MG online earlier.I have some questions and concerns about this whole Google issue that I hope someone can clear up, answer, share in my fears or something, I dunno. When does Google stop? Is Google becoming the new Microsoft in terms of industry monopolies? What happened to Google aiming to push the envelope of technology development, now all they do is acquire ideas they couldn't do themselves. They seem to have lost a bit of their spunk and exuberance as a cutting edge company.I am obviously speaking from the opinion of someone who is simply a web user, not a web proffessional, and it concerns me that there is no competition on a major level to Google. It concerns me that my life online is somewhat dependant on making use of now and newly acuired google products. In fact, I am using one right now... blogger. hmmm. mainstream is not the way, mainstream is just not the way.
Hung over, hung over, I hate saturday
Well it's Saturday and I'm a little hung over, not too badly (Jen, I didnt drive in circles, i got home perfect) but still hung over. Havent had a hang over in a while, it hurts.
But what I actually wanted to write about here is a little anecdote that keeps me happy at clubs: Last night I was sitting up stairs at Manhatten looking down on the dancefloor. It was 2:30am and I wasnt a particularly happy fellow cause I was tired and wanted to leave. But I couldn't pull myself away from staring at the dancefloor. What I do at clubs when I am bored, tired, sick of, is look at the dancefloor and imagine that there isn't any music... then watch the people dancing. Wow we look stupid when we dance. even good dancers, take away the music and there's no point. So that kept me busy last night for nearly an hour. The flickr photo of me to the right is at about 3am... Joy.
Feeling a bit down, feeling a bit lonely
I've just read a post on Sheetal's blog. It's a bit of a rant I guess but something she said resonates with me and I agree with it 100%. I often feel this way and wish that people knew, but often I am too nice to tell them to fuck off, which I think everyone needs to do sometimes.Here is what Sheets said:
Just once, I'd like someone to ask me how my day was ...and be genuinely interested in knowing about it...Just once, I'd like someone to remember an important test that I have to write - and wish me luck for it...Just once, I wish someone would give ME a hug, just for the hell of it.Just once, I wish conversations wouldn't only be all about the other person...
I would like to say thanks to Sheets for saying what I am sure that so many people feel on a regular basis.
Screw it, Just do it - More from the book
Quotes from Richard Branson.
- "If you challenge yourself, you will grow."
- "When I told my Mum, she said, "I knew you could win Ricky."
- I personally took to this quote. I think that the one person in my life who has, without a doubt and unwaveringly supported me through everything I've ever done is my Mom. She still does and I thank her for that.
- "Mum knew that losing wasn't fair, but it is life. It's not a good idea to teach children that they can win all the time. In the real world, people struggle."
- "I believe in myself. I believe in the hands that work, in the brains that think, and in the hearts that love."
- What a wonderful quote, what a great outlook on things.
- "Hard-won things are more valuable than those that come too easily."
- "It's good to pause and do nothing."
- I think that we could all use that advice...stop, bite in to that peach and see what it tastes like.
- "Money is just a means to an end, not an end in itself."
Thats it for now.
Schools pull out of rugby ranking system
I am not one of those old boys that wears his school brand 20 years after leaving school but I love my school and support it unashamedly. But one thing I do not agree with is the pressure that schools, players, parent and public put on 1st team players at school level.
A friend of mine, BigBev, alerted me to a story on rugby365.co.za that has surfaced. Certain Private school's have all banded together and decided to take their schools out of the rugby ranking systems available online. Not only are these schools pulling out of the rugby rankings, but are also pulling out of any ranking system at all.
The schools involved have noted that they feel that the ranking systems create unhealthy competition between school which they say has an indirect effect on "marketing, scholarships and post-matric issues, as well as relationships between schools, parents and old boys."
I think that this is a great move by these schools, however rugby365.co.za does have some interesting rebuttles:
How are schools going to stop people from ranking their rugby if the results of fixtures are made public? What is to stop me for example, from starting my own ranking site and keeping it up to date with the published results from the weekend?
They also noted that its a bit tought to blame the ranking sites and systems for bad blood between schools.
I think it's an interesting argument.
No One Like Me
I always thought that there was no one in the world like me. My Genius has finally confirmed this for me. The net-community website My Genius has a feature that allows you to search for people who are like you are... I tried this feature. I came back and told me that there is no one like me out there!!
Here is the screenshot:
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WatalotIpod
I have eventually finished my "WatalotIpod" section in my sidebar. In this feature I make use of Itunes 7 and Last fm to generate a feed of my most recently played songs. I am online alot these days and I personally love this little feature.
Last Fm is incredible and will suggest songs similar to what I am listening to at the moment. very cool scrobbling program.
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BugZilla
Found this image from an optical illusion site:
The map in the background is from Google Earth the insect is from... well... there are no definates on that one as of yet.
Point your Google Earth to these coordinates and you can probably see this wonder for yourself: 48.857635, 10.205424 and 0.001193,0.005322 (Germany).
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