the Pen

“

My name is Kate. I was one of Amy’s closest friends before she passed away in July in a car accident. She was 26. For a long time I’ve been deliberating over whether I should post this and I haven’t known how to deliver the painful news to people I don’t know. I wasn’t even sure whether I should say anything at all, but I feel a responsibility to post this because Amy obviously felt this blog held some importance to her or she wouldn’t have continued posting until she did.

—

I have never read Amy’s blog until now. The comments left by readers is a true testament to the passion and flair she had when writing about a game she loved.

Her Tweets also give an interesting take as to what goes on behind the scenes (almost Hollowmen-esque) in Canberra. Utegate gold at its best.

Aside, one can’t help but think about what happens to our online properties when our time comes. What’s the best way to manage this?

Amy S. Talks Cricket. Photo by Kate Mezzoni

Basketball + Trampolines = my new favourite sport

What Matthew Johns should do

Trevor Cook has a three-point plan that could help Matthew Johns try to right some wrongs. Makes perfect sense to me.

Sydney Roosters coach Brad Fittler has apologised for his team’s woeful performance against South Sydney in the opening round of the 2009 NRL season.

Four things:

I don’t think emails that contain apologies should have exclamation marks in the subject line (i.e. Online Newsletter - Message to all Roosters fans!).
Nor should they have headings like this. It kinda waters down the sincerety of it all.
Rugby League (e-)marketing sucks.
I’m a one-eyed Roosters supporter. Apology accepted, Freddy.

Aussie Rugby League gold: Tina Turner performs Simply The Best for the 1990 Winfield Cup (yes, cigarette advertising was okay back then).

Footy hasn’t been the same since. Now they’ve got an Australian Idol fronting their ad campaigns.

The National Basketball League: An Obituary

Maybe one day it will come back, just like soccer’s A-League rising from the ashes of the NSL.

Manny Pacquiao TKOs Oscar De La Hoya

…but the best pound-for-pound boxer of our time is from the Philippines (and probably a virtual unknown to many of you). That’s cool. I’m not a massive boxing fan either and I’m not going to hold it against you.

But as someone with connections to , “Pacman’s” the biggest thing going for the country right now. His victory over De La Hoya will see his stocks rise even further - Pacquiao has had a movie made in his honour, and ran for congress (and lost).

Even Nike have capitalised on his speed, tenacity, accuracy, and Catholicism.

I also couldn’t help but notice Pacquaio acknowledging (0:35 in) Philippine Vice President Noli de Castro and numerous congressmen cheering him on ringside. Seriously, did they have to fly in all these crooked and corrupt politicians to Las Vegas (most probably at taxpayers expense) to officially represent the Philippines?

For those of you who closely follow the seedy world of Filipino politics may have noticed Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson hanging about. He’s dodgy as, bro.

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The reality is that – aside from the isolated AFL – every Australian sport is now part of a world wide picture. Players will migrate to where the cash is.

— The odd ex-AFL turned NFL punter doesn’t really count. Or does it? [via Unleashed: Sonny’s runner]

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If clubs implement them sort of rules, you won’t see any footballers in there because losing a first grade spot is more important than going and having a beer in the Cross.

— Willie Mason, philosopher.
-rooster

WEST SYDNEY RAZORBACKS SELECTION JOINS KALAYAAN

This is why I thought the Sydney Kings were going to be rescued - in a triumphant return to the NBL with their new cashed-up Filipino owners, the San Miguel Corporation. -rooster