Having been a founding member of Melbourne Heart, and been to pretty much every home game and an interstate game, you can say I am looking forward to the new season. I think this season will be the biggest test for the Heart. With soccer being the biggest football game in the world, it is interesting seeing all the world trades, and for teams in the A-League being able to hold on to young stars, it adds an interesting dynamic to the game which you can never get in AFL.
Dutchman van't Schip, was to me, a main part of the Heart's engine, and it will be interesting to see how Aloisi goes in his debut season as a coach in the A-League. Lets hope he is as great coaching as he was a player, and he can continue the trend upwards on the ladder. I think for a team that has played only two seasons, the Heart have done extremely well. Lets hope this trend continues, and that the Hearts can be number one in the very near future.
The team has seen a lot of good players go from last season, from crowd favourite Alex Terra, to one of my favourite, Rutger Worm, the man I always said was a love/hate relationship, because he either played like a champ or just did some really weird things. Also leaving the team are Maycon and Sarkies. Another sore lost is Babalj going to Europe, lets hope for the best for him over there, and Hamill going to Korean side Seongnam. There have also been talks of young Good going to the UK and playing for Newcastle, so not sure what the update is on that, but, that would be good for him, but not for the Heart.
I think one big light in the Heart's engine room is Fred. To me, he just made the team last year, he was a little out of sync for the first few games (or the team was out of sync with him), but then he showed us his magic. With Fred playing, he controlled the middle, and gave the Heart what was needed, when he was injured, you could see the team needed him. I think he is the main player for us in the season coming, and look forward to his magic in setting goals up for the forwards in 2012/13. Talking about forwards, we have the Croatia striker Josip Tadic. The one thing missing in the hearts line up to date, has been someone in the forward to be able to kick that goal. Last year, the team would get it there, and just dance around the goal keepers square, we needed someone to take control of it and punish the opposition teams, and maybe Tadic is this man. Also great to see Bolton staying on for another year, he was the cement on the last line of defence.
With some players going and new players arriving and a new coach, I am not sure what to expect for the new season, but it just adds to the excitement. Since joining up as Members of the Heart, I have not been able to get back into AFL, and always just looks forward to the next A-League season. So, go Heart, keep up the good work, and build on it in 2012/13, looking forward to getting back to AAMI park, and listening to the chants, and hopefully seeing lots of wins on the table.
Friday 20 July 2012
Saturday 14 July 2012
My Weekend
Once again I have got the Daylesford home to myself, after enjoying a Friday afternoon with my mum-in-law, where we went to the local pub for some Parma and chips(yes I did get some veges too). Then getting back to the house watching the footy, this then turned into the tour de france, with some fool penn and teller show on ABC. Finally going to bed at midnight.
Waking up very slowly on saturday morning. What have I done today, well, nothing. Slowing getting out of bed in the morning, where I put myself on the couch in front of the TV, with a coffee and toast. Then a shower was in order at lunch time. Deciding to go for a walk, and checking rain radar, I kept it short, which was to the main street, where I gave myself a prize of a nice cup of hot chocolate for my walking achievement. Which, was followed by a walk back to the home, where I put myself back on the couch, which is where I have been since. Having whatever on the TV, currently the Melbourne Vs Fremantle game, while it has been raining on and off outside.
With it beginning to become dark, I must think of dinner. This is most likely heading towards the great fish and chips in Daylesford, but could easily turn into pizza or even chicken and chips. I will make my final decision window shopping, and pondering for probably 20 minutes in the freezing cold. But, they do have great pumpkin cakes at the fish and chips here, which are very yummy in my tummy. Whatever the dinner will be, it will be eating in front of the TV where I might put on a DVD. Now, stupid me, brought a few DVDs and Blu-Rays from home, forgetting that I can only play DVDs in a DVD player, at the Daylesford house, so this has made 70% of my viewing material out of the question. Which means less hassle for me to think about what to watch, which could either be a movie being shown on the TV, Cool Runnings, or the classic star wars episode IV, or maybe the planet of the apes. Rage, on ABC, could be in order at 11pm, followed by bed.
Sunday will be another slow start, where I will slowly ponder on what a weekend I have had, then off to Heathcote, to pick up the wifie, from her scrapbooking weekend retreat with the girls. Ok, time I get of the couch and get some dinner.
Waking up very slowly on saturday morning. What have I done today, well, nothing. Slowing getting out of bed in the morning, where I put myself on the couch in front of the TV, with a coffee and toast. Then a shower was in order at lunch time. Deciding to go for a walk, and checking rain radar, I kept it short, which was to the main street, where I gave myself a prize of a nice cup of hot chocolate for my walking achievement. Which, was followed by a walk back to the home, where I put myself back on the couch, which is where I have been since. Having whatever on the TV, currently the Melbourne Vs Fremantle game, while it has been raining on and off outside.
With it beginning to become dark, I must think of dinner. This is most likely heading towards the great fish and chips in Daylesford, but could easily turn into pizza or even chicken and chips. I will make my final decision window shopping, and pondering for probably 20 minutes in the freezing cold. But, they do have great pumpkin cakes at the fish and chips here, which are very yummy in my tummy. Whatever the dinner will be, it will be eating in front of the TV where I might put on a DVD. Now, stupid me, brought a few DVDs and Blu-Rays from home, forgetting that I can only play DVDs in a DVD player, at the Daylesford house, so this has made 70% of my viewing material out of the question. Which means less hassle for me to think about what to watch, which could either be a movie being shown on the TV, Cool Runnings, or the classic star wars episode IV, or maybe the planet of the apes. Rage, on ABC, could be in order at 11pm, followed by bed.
Sunday will be another slow start, where I will slowly ponder on what a weekend I have had, then off to Heathcote, to pick up the wifie, from her scrapbooking weekend retreat with the girls. Ok, time I get of the couch and get some dinner.
Friday 6 July 2012
It's "Game On" at ACMI, with the Game Masters
Being members of Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) has its privileges. One being able to have events like the "Game Masters member event". A 6:30pm start, where for $16 drinks and canapes where served in Screen Worlds, with special guest Paul Callaghan in a quick Q&A, after which we could head to the exhibition till 8:30pm.
It was fantastic being able to roam the whole exhibition exclusively, with just other members, for a few hours. We were able to just go onto any game we wanted without waiting in any queues. It starts of with the arcade machines, moving onto the consoles and PC games, then into some new style of dancing game, finishing of with some game apps on iPads. It was great being able to play some pacman on an arcade machine, competing in a song off, and losing. Then going onto rock-band, and singing some classic Foo Fighters.
I would say my disappointment for the night was having my most favorite of all arcade games ever, being out of service, that being Elevator Action. For the whole week leading up to this night, the little boy inside me was just so hoping that Elevator Action would be one of the arcade games being on show at the Game Masters. You can just imagine my internal excitement when I got into the room and seeing the game sitting there, then only to be disappointment, when I run to the box to see the "out of order" sign.
Apart from my little boy disappointment, the night was a great evening, and will worth being an ACMI member. Thank you to ACMI for letting the members have exclusive time on the games. Also, fantastic canape at the start, with drinks, I think I nearly covered my membership cost just there. If you are a gaming fanatic or like me used to have an Atari glued to you in the eighties, then it is well worth going to Game Masters, and seeing the classics, along side some of the new game apps.
ACMI, thank you, and don't stop bringing these gaming events to Melbourne.
It was fantastic being able to roam the whole exhibition exclusively, with just other members, for a few hours. We were able to just go onto any game we wanted without waiting in any queues. It starts of with the arcade machines, moving onto the consoles and PC games, then into some new style of dancing game, finishing of with some game apps on iPads. It was great being able to play some pacman on an arcade machine, competing in a song off, and losing. Then going onto rock-band, and singing some classic Foo Fighters.
I would say my disappointment for the night was having my most favorite of all arcade games ever, being out of service, that being Elevator Action. For the whole week leading up to this night, the little boy inside me was just so hoping that Elevator Action would be one of the arcade games being on show at the Game Masters. You can just imagine my internal excitement when I got into the room and seeing the game sitting there, then only to be disappointment, when I run to the box to see the "out of order" sign.
Apart from my little boy disappointment, the night was a great evening, and will worth being an ACMI member. Thank you to ACMI for letting the members have exclusive time on the games. Also, fantastic canape at the start, with drinks, I think I nearly covered my membership cost just there. If you are a gaming fanatic or like me used to have an Atari glued to you in the eighties, then it is well worth going to Game Masters, and seeing the classics, along side some of the new game apps.
ACMI, thank you, and don't stop bringing these gaming events to Melbourne.
Sunday 3 June 2012
Just the weekend.
Had a great weekend, starting of on Friday morning where I had a few blood test, an ECG and pee into a cup (that was the boring bit), followed by a blogger masterclass, and then having my nephew over for a sleep over on Saturday.
I will not get into the boring medical test and just skip to the Masterclass: blogging seminar I went too on Friday. I of course mucked up my sessions times, and missed most of the first speaker, Daniel Donahoo Geekdad, which after listening to the end of his presentation, I was kicking myself. From what I caught from the end of his presentation, he would have been interesting. Apart from missing Daniel at the start, I think, the most interesting presenter was Luke Buckmaster. I found him very interesting to listen to, regarding content and basic layout of blogs. I did find the other presenters interesting, but the rest was more about making money, and for me, I am just blogging for writing purposes. Friday night was finished off with fantastic night at friends, with unfortunately the saints losing to the tigers.
Then the big weekend of having my nephew have his first stay over at our house, on Saturday. Was it fun? That is a BIG yes. We took him to the city, on a tram, to buy his birthday present, of his choice. This ended up being a Doctor Who, with his sidekick Amy, and the Tardis toy set. He was also allowed to pick the dinner of his choice, this ended up being fish and chips, cause what little kid doesn't love CHIPPIES. Dinner was in front of the TV, watching the movie TinTin. Then on Sunday, we went to the Melbourne Museum, where we got to travel on the tram again, and get to see sharks and dinosaurs, while having Doctor Who with us at all times on our Sunday travels.
So, while it is still Sunday, and the weekend is not over, I really enjoyed it with my Nephew, and it will be finished of with hopefully Casey Stoner winning the Moto GP tonight.
I will not get into the boring medical test and just skip to the Masterclass: blogging seminar I went too on Friday. I of course mucked up my sessions times, and missed most of the first speaker, Daniel Donahoo Geekdad, which after listening to the end of his presentation, I was kicking myself. From what I caught from the end of his presentation, he would have been interesting. Apart from missing Daniel at the start, I think, the most interesting presenter was Luke Buckmaster. I found him very interesting to listen to, regarding content and basic layout of blogs. I did find the other presenters interesting, but the rest was more about making money, and for me, I am just blogging for writing purposes. Friday night was finished off with fantastic night at friends, with unfortunately the saints losing to the tigers.
Then the big weekend of having my nephew have his first stay over at our house, on Saturday. Was it fun? That is a BIG yes. We took him to the city, on a tram, to buy his birthday present, of his choice. This ended up being a Doctor Who, with his sidekick Amy, and the Tardis toy set. He was also allowed to pick the dinner of his choice, this ended up being fish and chips, cause what little kid doesn't love CHIPPIES. Dinner was in front of the TV, watching the movie TinTin. Then on Sunday, we went to the Melbourne Museum, where we got to travel on the tram again, and get to see sharks and dinosaurs, while having Doctor Who with us at all times on our Sunday travels.
So, while it is still Sunday, and the weekend is not over, I really enjoyed it with my Nephew, and it will be finished of with hopefully Casey Stoner winning the Moto GP tonight.
Sunday 18 March 2012
The A League finals are near
Well, what a season for the A league for 2011/2012. Unlike last season where Brisbane were unbeatable and clearly the team to beat, it has been a very close contested season this year. Any team have had the potential to win, and I think the quality of the games have stepped up too this year. It will be great if the quality keeps on improving, with also great crowds, so watch out AFL and Rugby.
Of course I want the Hearts to win the championship, but I think any team will be able to win it. If I had to choose an inform team leading up to the final series, I think Brisbane once again are looking like the team to beat for this year, but not by much.
Going by what I have read, for the Hearts not to be in the finals, they have to lose to Adelaide by more than 8 goals, in the last round. It is looking good for the Hearts, and I am actually hoping for an away final for us, I know that sounds stupid, but I think the Hearts have been performing better away this season. So, I am more than happy to go to my local pub, with some friends to watch them, if it means we keep on winning, then so be it.
I will be sad when the season finishes, I really have been getting into the A-League since the inception of the Melbourne Hearts, and being a founding member of the Hearts, I really feel apart of the team. We went to the Gold Coast and saw them win up there,and what just capped the night was the players coming over to us, letting us take photos with them and even the coach come over and thanked us for flying up and supporting them. I even called out for the Worm after the game, and he didn't hesitate in running over for a photo. I was like a little kid again, getting my photo with the Worm and Fred. Simon Colosimo was great too, while on the bench, he had a good old kick to kick with the young ball boy on the side, you don't see that at any other football code, and it just shows what type of champion person he is.
But the season is not over yet, and looking forward to the finals.
GO HEARTs, lets give John van 't Schip a going away present he want forget.
Of course I want the Hearts to win the championship, but I think any team will be able to win it. If I had to choose an inform team leading up to the final series, I think Brisbane once again are looking like the team to beat for this year, but not by much.
Going by what I have read, for the Hearts not to be in the finals, they have to lose to Adelaide by more than 8 goals, in the last round. It is looking good for the Hearts, and I am actually hoping for an away final for us, I know that sounds stupid, but I think the Hearts have been performing better away this season. So, I am more than happy to go to my local pub, with some friends to watch them, if it means we keep on winning, then so be it.
I will be sad when the season finishes, I really have been getting into the A-League since the inception of the Melbourne Hearts, and being a founding member of the Hearts, I really feel apart of the team. We went to the Gold Coast and saw them win up there,and what just capped the night was the players coming over to us, letting us take photos with them and even the coach come over and thanked us for flying up and supporting them. I even called out for the Worm after the game, and he didn't hesitate in running over for a photo. I was like a little kid again, getting my photo with the Worm and Fred. Simon Colosimo was great too, while on the bench, he had a good old kick to kick with the young ball boy on the side, you don't see that at any other football code, and it just shows what type of champion person he is.
But the season is not over yet, and looking forward to the finals.
GO HEARTs, lets give John van 't Schip a going away present he want forget.
Sunday 11 March 2012
Looking forward to Formula One 2012
Yes, it is back on, and who knows what will happen. After going around Albert Park Lake and seeing the stands starting to go up, I'm of course looking forward to next week.
One thing I do like with the F1's is at least at the start of the season you don't know who the clear team to beat will be until the first few races. I also love the amount of money that goes into the technology and just the technical aspects of the F1. It is a unique racing carnival.
It would be fantastic to see Mark Webber win the championship this year, I have been following Webber's career way back in the Le Mans days, just waiting to see the Australian get into the ranks of the F1 drivers. Luckily he finally picked the winning team of Red Bull, he just now has to get that missing Championship Title.
It is also great to see another Aussie stepping up, and I am looking forward to following Daniel Ricciardo, and hoping great Formula One success for him in the future. Let's hope he beats his team mate this year, and moves up to more competitive Teams over the next few years, so he too can compete for the championship title.
So with 2 Australians in the mix I have a lot of exciting F1 watching this year. Let's face it though it will be Vettel VS everyone else. Red Bull will be looking after him more than Webber, and he has the big red target on his back.
I suppose the main thing is that I am hoping for it to be a tight entertaining season for 2012.
One thing I do like with the F1's is at least at the start of the season you don't know who the clear team to beat will be until the first few races. I also love the amount of money that goes into the technology and just the technical aspects of the F1. It is a unique racing carnival.
It would be fantastic to see Mark Webber win the championship this year, I have been following Webber's career way back in the Le Mans days, just waiting to see the Australian get into the ranks of the F1 drivers. Luckily he finally picked the winning team of Red Bull, he just now has to get that missing Championship Title.
It is also great to see another Aussie stepping up, and I am looking forward to following Daniel Ricciardo, and hoping great Formula One success for him in the future. Let's hope he beats his team mate this year, and moves up to more competitive Teams over the next few years, so he too can compete for the championship title.
So with 2 Australians in the mix I have a lot of exciting F1 watching this year. Let's face it though it will be Vettel VS everyone else. Red Bull will be looking after him more than Webber, and he has the big red target on his back.
I suppose the main thing is that I am hoping for it to be a tight entertaining season for 2012.
Saturday 25 February 2012
Hearing Voices?
Well, VICSERV had a stand at the Voices Vic Conference, and I had the privilege of working on the stand on Friday the 24th of feb 2012.
I found it very interesting listening to the speakers and their experience with hearing voices and how the society treats people with issues in pretty much one format. The system even makes people lie if the treatments are not working on them, because if the treatment isn't working it must be the individuals fault and not the wrong treatment or wrong diagnosis. It's good to know that we have organizations like Prahran Mission, Voices Vic, and other similar Org's out there actually working with the individuals and giving them ownership of their own lives, and treating everyone differently depending on where they are at and at their own pace.
These Organizations rely heavily on gorvernment funding and donations.
Which means it is hard for them to market themselves, so the people who need the help, just get lost in the system and do not know that these places exist. They need more funding/donations/volunteers so they can help more people. That's one reason why I have written this, maybe someone will read it and needs the help or knows someone who hears voices or would like to help financially.
I have also written this to say what is normal and is anyone normal? But as soon as we class someone with a label we then start to look and treat them like a second class citizen. When at the end of the day I don't think anyone is normal, we all have our highs and lows in life and I think when we are down we all want support from family, friends and the community.
Here are some interesting sites:
- Prahran Mission, Hearing Voices
- VICSERV
- Ron Coleman
I found it very interesting listening to the speakers and their experience with hearing voices and how the society treats people with issues in pretty much one format. The system even makes people lie if the treatments are not working on them, because if the treatment isn't working it must be the individuals fault and not the wrong treatment or wrong diagnosis. It's good to know that we have organizations like Prahran Mission, Voices Vic, and other similar Org's out there actually working with the individuals and giving them ownership of their own lives, and treating everyone differently depending on where they are at and at their own pace.
These Organizations rely heavily on gorvernment funding and donations.
Which means it is hard for them to market themselves, so the people who need the help, just get lost in the system and do not know that these places exist. They need more funding/donations/volunteers so they can help more people. That's one reason why I have written this, maybe someone will read it and needs the help or knows someone who hears voices or would like to help financially.
I have also written this to say what is normal and is anyone normal? But as soon as we class someone with a label we then start to look and treat them like a second class citizen. When at the end of the day I don't think anyone is normal, we all have our highs and lows in life and I think when we are down we all want support from family, friends and the community.
Here are some interesting sites:
- Prahran Mission, Hearing Voices
- VICSERV
- Ron Coleman
Thursday 16 February 2012
First blog on Ashley's Shed
Ok, my first blog attempt was on the Lauren and Ash blog site. So, this is not my first attempt, but I'm thinking of using this blog as the boys shed blog, where I will blog about sports and other stuff Lauren finds boring, but I like. Hope whomever reads my blogs enjoys the read, I am using the blogs as an outlet for keeping myself mentally active, so we will see how long it last and how well it goes.
Blog out.
Blog out.
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