House Of Honcho

In Hibernation (Once again)

Published on 2007-10-24 21:11:00

I have periods where updating this blog comes down the list of things to do, and unfortunately I can't see it improving anytime in the near future. So back into slumber this blog goes for the time being - no doubt I'll be back one day.

Vintage Humour

Published on 2007-10-17 14:49:00

Thought I'd share in some respects a humourous thread titled "Calling All People Who Like a Bottle of Wine":I've been informed to avoid 2007 vintage new world wines. Apparently the grapes have been particularly sour this year.Bitter thread imoI suggest the HABANA Merlot from south africa, olde world charm with a smooth finish!!!!!Anything ANZAC is looking a bit dodgy - lacking strength and clarity, with very little intensity. Some may say the vintage got picked to early, but at least it travels

Weekend Wrap

Published on 2007-10-15 13:26:00

I'm trying to forget the weekend as quickly as possible. The pack of Pensioners won another game at RWC, the Kiwi Rugby League team redefined the term "sporting embarrassment" and (now that I live away from the big smoke), Auckland voters showed they have as much political intelligence as American ones by electing John Banks as Mayor.But wait. All that pales into insignificance because ...Marina Erakovic, the darling of NZ Tennis, won ANOTHER $25,000 challenger event, this time in Rockhampton (s

The Semis

Published on 2007-10-11 20:41:00

To tell you the truth, I haven't thought too much about this weekend's games. My attention has been diverted to three cricket series going on (and the joys of been able to finally watch it over the internet on a decent computer). So my thoughts, for what they are worth:I think we've seen enough surprises in this World Cup. I'm expecting a France South Africa final next weekend, although you can't completely write off the other two semi-finalists. It is doubtful whether France can play as well ag

The Curse of the Hosts

Published on 2007-10-10 15:44:00

A couple of comments on here by James has got me thinking. Thanks James – perhaps this blog will get off the ground sometime – I spout some shit; someone makes a semi-relevant comment and together we get there.But the comment that NZ’s record at RWC reads a miserable 1 from 6 for the supposedly dominant rugby union team on the planet got me into research mode. And first stop is an excellent website I’ve mentioned before – an expat-Pom who keeps records of internationals and Super 14 he

Weekend Wrap

Published on 2007-10-08 17:51:00

Last word to Jonah Lomu. Asked in a TV interview who we should blame for the All Blacks' defeat, he replied "Blame the French. They beat us." About sums it up.Honestly, I've avoided most of the TV and press over the last 24 hours. Open up the Herald this morning and we can read all sorts of angles - including how Monday was a non-productive work day and wife-beatings are on the increase. For fuck's sake, it's a game of rugby. I'm done with it - we lost for a variety of reasons to a team that pla

A Special Sunday Wrap

Published on 2007-10-07 04:58:00

I blame Mike McRoberts. Milliseconds after Australia’s loss to England, the frontman for (NZ’s) TV3 coverage couldn’t help himself:“Four more years George”Oh dear I thought. Actually, that is a lie and as this has an R18 classification, here’s what I really thought:You stupid motherfucking idiot. Hours before kick-off you go and have to put the commentator’s kiss of death on the All Blacks by an unnecessary gloat, don’t you. Didn’t it cross your tiny mind that in four years tim

QF thoughts

Published on 2007-10-04 21:10:00

With the caveat that I missed last weekend's matches and thus fumbling a little in the dark, some musings on the weekend ahead at the RWC:AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND(NZ TAB $1.18/$4.50 - BETFAIR $1.24/$5.5/draw $44)I'd like to see who replaces Farrell at second five for the Poms - if it's Barkley and they keep Tait at 13 it opens up all sorts of possibilities. While I have a knock on Oz as tournament winners they are one of the smarter teams around, so as long as they can keep the penalties in their own

Damn Damn Damn

Published on 2007-10-02 14:36:00

Ahhh well, it looks like the Douggie bet as the top tryscorer is sunk. Still, at 12/1 I got a good run for my money. Truth is, even if he did play, I think the chances are Habana will end up top of the tree given the slightly easier run SAF have (potentially of course) to the final.Far be it for me to criticise Lord Ted and the rest of the selection panel, but starting Sivivatu really is a head scratcher. Some lazy defence against Italy and his fumbles v Scotland do not exactly fill me with conf

Weekend UNWRAP

Published on 2007-10-01 13:25:00

They say moving house is one of the more stressful times of life. Having now done it 4 times in 5 years it should get a bit easier, but it doesn't. The actual move was a piece of cake (hiring a truck and 3 Arnold Schwarzeneggers is definitely worth the money), but the afterlife is where the fun begins...Frustration finally boiled over at 3 p.m. yesterday when the electrician still hadn't turned up (I needed extra powerpoints in the house); so a phone call to the competition in town saw them (the