AFL Goal Camera Idea

AFL. The great game of the Australian nation. The sporty locally known as "the footy".

Love my footy!

I've been sitting my wee lad down in front of the telly to teach him all that is good about the Adelaide Crows. We're having a great season too! 8 wins and 2 losses! Amazing turn around from last year..

What is more amazing though is the shoddy appearance of the dreaded video review, or, as I like to coin *insert irish accent here* "the turd umpire".

Hehehehe I make me laugh.

Anyway, the third umpire appears in cricket and it has worked well for a number of years now. Really well in fact. The no balls are caught, run-outs are never missed and LBW's are argued between mates and commentators a-like. They're great!

What is disappointing in the AFL at the moment is the amount of thought that was put in to the video replay system. A few weeks of "testing" and it was in-place in the regular season, shocking many experts.

I'm not an expert, far from it. Hell, I still confuse myself with how long a quarter actually goes for.. But! I am an expert of ideas.

Here's my latest:

Why not put a camera in the goal post!?

Cricket has a camera in the middle stump, surely the same could be possible for the footy!

No?

See my diagram here:

Here you'll see the four goal posts. Point A is refering to a camera situated inside the two main goal posts. This would allow a sturdy position for the camera to sit in without dislodging, positioned and directed for a non-obstructed view for goal line touches by opposition players. The only issues:

• there is a level that the view could not see upwards, unless several were installed along the inner pole upwards.
• does installing a camera interfere with the post's structural integrity?

The other Point B would be used if the post could not maintain holding a camera or if it happened to be dislodged easier. Although:

• the lower section of the poles are padded and could likely cause more of a chance for dislodgement or shifted, but I can see it easier to embed than the pole itself.

These cameras, of course, would not be protruding from the posts, otherwise there is a slim chance ball will nick the camera.

But seriously folks, too many times is our great game of Aussie Rules Footy being put on hold for video review, where the result has been "inconclusive". Why even bother with the current system! Look at US games like NFL and NBA that are consistantly slowing down the games with video reviews.

Let's improve the system to be quick instead of consistantly inconclusive!

So what do you think of my idea? Do you have anything better?

Also, any tips influencing my son to love the Crows and hate my wife's team the Hawks would be greatly appreciated.

:-)

- tork

I miss Friday Work drinks. CheekyDrop to the rescue!

I miss the old Friday after work drinks. I'd walk down with 10 to 20 work colleagues to the local on most Friday's and just shoot the breeze. We'd pick the worst songs possible on the jukebox, order rounds of beer spiked with cordial to mess with people's mind, and stumble home via public transport yelling at imaginary shool kids on the bus. Perhaps that was just me, but it still was a great way to get to know your workmates and have a bit of a cool off after a long week.

..every week was a long week!..

Work changes and you don't see your old colleagues anymore. My work changed to a few streets over. The local pub didn't change though. New faces to buy rounds for and new people to embarrass myself infront of for the following Monday stories.

It's disappointing that the work place is not often the venue for Friday work drinks. OH&S is a big culprit for work place drinks being a distant memory. I think it would be great to nab the culprits for making Friday work place drinks a dying event. Parents like myself would love the opportunity to pop a bottle at work. I just don't have the time to venture down the pub any more for those hours that I used to. A couple of drinks at my desk with staff would be such a better option to wind down.

Well, Cheeky Drop is a new website that is the Ambassador for Friday work drinks. They heard on the grapevine that I enjoy the odd drop of vino, so they kindly contacted me to tell me how I could win FREE work place drinks!

Ooooh yeah. Me likey!

Every Friday, CheekyDrop is offering the chance to win free work drinks! (Aust residents only)

Check out one of their clips, the Friday Drinks Offender, Mr Smooth Operator.



FYI - Random Squirrel.  Love it. Hehehehe..

They're giving away a case of wine each week, so check them out via @cheekydrop, their Facebooky place or CheekyDrop.com.au where you can also buy wine online.

So I'm looking forward to organising myself and getting the work folk together one day for a few drinks. Winning that case of wine will help the cause!

Looking forward to the Squirrel delivering it too.  If it happens, I will definitely wet myself.

:-)

Hope you guys check them out to get some free work wines too.

- tork

Congratulate me, I'm a new Mum!

You'll have to congratulate me, I'm a new mum!

I'm the latest addition to the team at Kleenex Mums.  You're looking at their first ever dad!

I talked recently about my blogging goal for 2012, on how I want to be a voice in the parenting blogging community as a father, with almost every parent blogger in Australia a mum. Where are there dads?

Well, we are out there! :-)

Hopefully I'll get to do more writing for more prominant sites, such as Kleenex Mums.

Remember, it takes two to tango, and normally two to parent. Dads have got stuff to say too!

..and you'll hear more out of this here weirdo :-)

- tork

Overhead the Cot of a Son

Dad Poem - from the words of a Father

I've said it once and I'll say it again.. Inspiration comes from within.  You just sometimes need to be reminded.


Here goes..


As I stood with elbows against wood, a cot made of tree.  I look downwards at a son, asleep.
The eyes are a-flitter, fighting sleep and grasping at play.
A boy, whom I've always wanted.  To teach that life is awesome, no matter what day.
To teach things of amazement.  To show fun in doing so.
As I stood overhead, gently telling him goodnight, I wonder how lucky we are.
How lucky. My wife and I.
A son was born to us, as awesome as can be. May he grow to be all that he wants to be.

- tork

Stopping to Say Thanks

Just wanted to take a breath/break from posting (even though I'm technically still doing it) and thank a few people.

Mary. My yankee doodle pal that recently bestowed me with an award.  Although I am wussing out and not continuing the award requirements, I still wanna say CHEERS and tell you all to visit her blog. So if it's food recipes you're after, she's your gal to show you!  I'm hanging for her sausage balls recipe.  Can't wait 'til I get to try her balls (hmmm that doesn't sound right hehehee).  Thanks Mary!


Kate.  She says stuff.  Today, she said to all her followers to come visit me.  Well, aren't HER readers lucky to find a swell dude like myself!  And aren't I lucky to get a great wrap..  Check Kate out today at her blog.  She's a sweetheart.






I also wanted to thank everyone who's commented and tweeted since my post Why Don't You Like Dad Blogs but love Mum Blogs.  I feel there's life back into these old blog bones.  I am also glad I didn't push publish on a post I wrote entitled "I Quit".  Yeah.. I know.  But this new Tork loves a challenge.

So, thanks everyone!

- tork

Celebrating the Songs of my First Year

Music is a love of mine, as every other person on the face of this planet.

It soothes you.

It moves you.

It inspires you.

I was running a songs to inspire series that only a handful of people got into on my blog.  So I stopped and took it onto twitter (under #SongsToInspire).

In celebrating my first year of blogging, here are some of my faves that I've done over the year.

Top 5 Sax Solos in Songs

Songs To Inspire - Song 1

Songs to Inspire - Song 5

Best of Eurovision 2011 Germany

Enjoy!

- tork

I Haven't Blogged In a While, Have I?

I haven't been around for a bit have I?

Yeah, I've been down with the flu, as well as a few other things going on in the extended family.  Seems having a baby doesn't give you much spare time.  Who would have thought?

To tell you the truth as well, I've started so many posts but just haven't finished them.  Dunno.  Just sometimes, any spare moment that you get as a parent, you are so tired and can't be bothered doing anything.  That dreaded wall.. blergh...

We all hit the wall and it's really hard to climb over.  Let's see if I can get over the top, as I've spent so much time so far on my blogs.  The Blog Plan is a passion to improve and teach, as well as my list of blog topics and this dad blog of mine.

I've also been waiting for a certain day to arrive.  A day where I can tell you some hopefully great news.

I also think if I ever give up blogging, then I'll never find myself completing a life goal of mine. A goal on my bucket list.

Writing. Other than blogging, I really want to write some stories.  I've so many stuck in this brain of mine.

Writers block is not something I get.  It's my use of time that often sets me back.

Also, my stat-watching on my blog isn't helping. Hard to stick out as a dad blog in this crazy world of ours hehehehe. I just want thousand of folks reading my bollocks on the screen, just like any other blogger. Must stop doing that.

So I'm sorry I haven't been around for a bit.  I'll do better.  Keep me on my toes about it :-) and stay tuned for my good news that I can't wait to tell you about!

- tork

6 Blogs That Interest Me

Is it only bloggers that read other blogs?  I hope not.  We may be leaning towards a way of blogging life that all our readers are bloggers themselves.

I hope not.  I hope that there is enough interest and entertainment to be found by those that don't blog.  So, it got me thinking.

Why not make a list of blogs that I find the most intriguing.  That I find inspiring.

I am putting myself in the eyes of a non-blogger and making a list.  I'm sure to upset a few bloggy friends with this, so I hope you understand of you're one of them!

In no particular order, here are a few blogs that inspire me to visit:

Random Ramblings of a Stay at Home Mum

It takes great strength to lose the love of your life.  When Lori lost her husband, she kept on writing.  She writes and you want to read.  Although I don't often visit, I know her story.  I know her story through all her friends that posted well wishes for her.

If I were a non-blogger, I would keep coming back to catch up, to read and to feed from her amazing strength and heartfelt story.  I wish her all the best for her and her family..

Extra Large as Life

Natalie is a sweetheart.  She puts herself out there via her blog.

Now, I'm not into fashion and all that jazz, but some of the photos she puts up are great. Certainly she makes you think about image.  She's empowering to put herself out there and give you confidence.  I wish I could put my self out for the world to see as she does.

If I weren't a blogger, I'd still pop in and see she's got going on.  Always got something interesting going on.

Living with Food Allergies and Celiac Disease

Mary has a blog all about her daughter, diagnosed with food allergies and Celiac disease.  This is a site that wouldn't necessarily interest me, as it discusses preparing foods for those with allergies.  But, she's much more than that.

She lets you into her family's life, her daughter's life.  The good times and the bad.  I can relate with my boy's health issues.  If I weren't a blogger, I'd still go and visit.  She's just too nice not to say hey to every once and a while. :-)  And I wish her and her family all the best.

One day I might even try making one of her dishes...!

Concept Ships

Are you kidding me?  These are some of the most amazing sci-fi pictures I have ever seen.  Simply amazing.

I stumbled across this site even before I was a blogger.  It is fantastic seeing all these original pictures of spacecraft.  It inspires me to live for thousands of years so I might one day see some of them.  Now to just find that dang fountain of youth.

Today I Found Out

Today I Found Out that the popsicle was invented by an 11 year old!  This blog teaches you odd things that you otherwise might not have known.  Strange things.  I love this sort of crap :-)

Recently I learnt that around 400 years ago there was a weapon that appeared between the invention of the cannon and the firearm.  It was a hand cannon.  How awesome is that!  Well, I think it is.  Learning little trinkets of info like this is something I find exciting.  Not so much an inspiring blog, but my thirst for these trinkets every now and then gets me going!

Worth1000

I want to try and be more creative.  Worth1000 is all about creativity.  A place I really should visit more often whenever I think I am out of ideas for anything, blogging or not blogging.  Awesome photos, awesome ideas, awesome site.


Well, there you have it.  A list of blogs, all different in their own ways.  All inspiring in their own ways.  Perhaps a few new ones that you never even heard of!

- tork

Remember Those Days

Dad Poem - from the words of a Father

It has been tough, life, sometimes.
You look back on days past and remember days that were care free.
Days where you could take the long walk home, away from the beaten path.
Days where you smelt the air without a waft of car fumes.
I remember those days well.

Now, as time goes by, as the days age to where you age,
Bills mount high and nappies rise higher.
Stress exists where it should not.
You realise you need to let go.
You realise you need to remember those days that were care free.

Where days were lost in adventures amongst the hillside.
And nights were toasted until the morning ended them.
Where heart to hearts were talked if days like these would ever exist.
Whether you'd have those that love you around you.
With a family that is yours around you.

When stress gets you down, remember those days.
That is who you were and who you still are.
You forget where you've been when you lose where you are.
Remember to turn around and look at where you've been.
But remember to turn back around to where you are going.

- Torkona


This was inspired by Jessica at Finding One's Way, where she amazed me with her Thursday Dedication to me in March this year. (no, I hadn't forgotten)

I turned around and looked at where I've been with this blog of mine. Whenever I want to stop blogging, I remember Jess's post.  It reminds me that I may not have the worlds largest amount of followers, but I sure do have some of the best.  Just like you, right now, that managed to get themselves all the way down to this sentence in the post.  You're awesome and you're one of the reasons why I keep blogging.

Now I can turn back around and face forwards and see where this strange dad blog is going to take us :-)

- tork

Receding Mature Hairline, Why My Baby Has It

We are past the four months old stage and my young baby boy still has his baby receding hairline.

And the number of queries from Google I've been getting about this has been astounding.  I think it is time to figure this out.

Why Do Babies Have Receding Hairlines?

Good question.  Too bad it's one that no one knows the answer too!

I figure it is just luck of the draw, that it just happens.

As I've come to learn, babies are born with varying amounts of hair on their head.  My boy was born with a faint amount that covered his whole noggin, except for at the front where his hair was 'receding' to the left and right sides adjacent to the middle.

But after babies are born, the hair tends to either fall out or rub off due to them laying on their backs all the time. My little lion cub has an awesome mullet currently at the nape of his neck.  That part never hits the mattress :-)

Don't Worry, it's Not Permanent

The hair takes its time to grow.  I've known babies that can take a year or longer to get lengths of hair on their heads.  It will grow in, so don't worry about it.

So if you've landed here from anywhere in Google land, worry about what school they will attend or whether they will end up becoming a Justin Beiber fan.  These things are way more important to worry about.

I guess I am a little concerned for my boy though.  I had a receding hairline when I was his age.  My hair grew in, but it is now starting to recede just like it looked back as a baby.  So this is an apology to my boy if his hair does recede when he's my age.

"Don't blame me kid, blame your grandpa for your crappy hair genes!"

- tork

Songs to Inspire - Song 23

Feeling unmotivated? Need inspiration? Need to be inspired?

Inspiration comes from within, you just sometimes need to be reminded - Torkona

Every Sunday I post a song to inspire.

Mad World - Gary Jules

This song is so sad.  Sometimes, you need a sad song to feel good.  Weird, yeah, but that is just what I reckon.

I hope it inspires you to have a bit of a cry.  Otherwise, I hope it inspires you to let go for a short while of anything that worries you.

So, do you like the song? Love to hear from you!

- tork

Songs to Inspire - Song 22

Feeling unmotivated? Need inspiration? Need to be inspired?

Inspiration comes from within, you just sometimes need to be reminded - Torkona

Every Sunday I post a song to inspire


Casey Donovan - Here's Where I Stand


I love this girl.  This song is killer!  Wish I could find a better quality version though than in a pub.

No matter.  This Aussie girl inspires you to stand up and say "This is me, like it or lump it".  I hope it inspires you as well.





So, what did you think about Casey? Not bad huh?

Songs to Inspire - Song 21

Feeling unmotivated? Need inspiration? Need to be inspired?

Inspiration comes from within, you just sometimes need to be reminded - Torkona

Every Sunday I post a songs to inspire.

The Whitlams - Buy Now Pay Later

Now, I love this song.  The Whitlams are a great Aussie treasure.

I love a good piano.  Add a few strings and it adds to a song's value.  This song is just fantastic.  If you like this song, you should check out their other songs for great inspirational tunes. Or.. you could suscribe to my blog and you're likely to find a few more in this series.

This song just makes you feel good, it makes me feel good.  I hope it makes you feel good too.

And I hope it inspires a few goosebumps :-)






What did you think of this song? Hope you liked it!

- tork

Songs to Inspire - Song 20

Feeling unmotivated? Need inspiration? Need to be inspired?

Inspiration comes from within, you just sometimes need to be reminded - Torkona

Every Sunday I post a song to inspire.

Adele - Someone Like You

Adele.  I love that someone like you exists.  I don't know if you have written this song, but I love it.  Not only for your fantastic singing, but also for bringing the balland back!  The 80's saw crap loads of ballands, the 90's had a few too, but since then its died off.

This song will hopefully bring others to copy the trend and bring them back, in this new format that you've sung. 

One Singer. One Piano. One well written and powerfuly poetic song.

Sometimes, you just got to love music.  It inspires me to be someone like you.

What do you think about this song?

- tork



Songs to Inspire - Song 19

Feeling unmotivated? Need inspiration? Need to be inspired?

Inspiration comes from within, you just sometimes need to be reminded - Torkona

Every Sunday I post a song to help you find your inspiration.

One of my most favourite songs from a movie is this:

Gene Wilder - Pure Imagination

Taken from the movie Charlie and the Chocolate factory with Gene Wilder playing Willy Wonka, this song is captivating and spine tingling.

Willy (aka Gene) sings this ditty with such clarity and meaning.  I love it.  Every time I hear it, it reminds me that the world is massive and fantastic.

Now, I found this great video that has the song, however it is played over images taken from the Hubble Telescope.

This brings whole new perspective to the song.  Amazing.

I hope it inspires your pure imagination.  Enjoy!

- tork

Songs to Inspire - Song 18

Feeling unmotivated? Need inspiration? Need to be inspired?

Inspiration comes from within, you just sometimes need to be reminded - Torkona

Every Sunday I post a song to help you find your inspiration

Lisa Mitchell - Oh! Hark!

Love this girl.  She was a contestant on Australian Idol that (luckily) didn't win.  She's since picked up an Indie audience and the reasons are obvious.

She is fantastic.

This is perhaps not my favourite song of hers, but this one has been stuck in my head all morning.  I might give my fave of hers a run some time later, but this song is just so poetically beautiful.  Love it.

I hope it inspires you to put down pen to paper.

Or!  If you own a blog, write a poem and link it back here!

Well, here she is.  Enjoy!

- tork

Songs to Inspire - Song 17

Feeling unmotivated? Need inspiration? Need to be inspired?

Inspiration comes from within, you just sometimes need to be reminded - Torkona

Every Sunday I post a song to help you find your inspiration

I've said previsouly, I love a good spontanious dance up and down my hallway.  I hope this inspires you to do the same.

I can say nothing else but:

Enjoy, Acid Rock!

Hahahaha!

- tork

Cappuccino vs Latte

I need your help.

I've been having an argument over which type of Coffee drink is more manly.

See, I love my coffee.  Can't imagine working without it.

I am a Latte drinker and I've been copping a bit of stick from my mates whenever I order one.  I think it may be the fact that when I order it, I pronounce it as "Lar-tay".  They think it sounds too fancy around a bunch of guys.  But that's how it's pronounced, isn't it?

Anyway, I've been branded wimpy by my coffee mates that drink Cappuccinos.  They think Latte's are less manly.

Pfft.   I don't care whether I'm drinking a manly drink or not.  I don't have a problem with it.  My problem is this though; How can they call a coffee sprinkled with chocolate on top of a frothy milk layer more manly than a plain Latte?

So, I am putting the call out there for answers.

Which coffee do you think is more manly? The Cappuccino or the Latte.

Don't let me influence your thoughts though.  Love to hear your own opinion.

- tork

Songs to Inspire - Song 16

Feeling unmotivated? Need inspiration? Need to be inspired?

Inspiration comes from within, you just sometimes need to be reminded - Torkona

Every Sunday I post a song to help you find your inspiration.

Today is a song from one of my favourite movies of all time, perhaps my favourite kids movie ever.  Yeah.. I know I'm not a kid anymore, but don't judge me.  You'll find it awesome too :)

The Lion King's Circle of Life

This song is fantastic. If you haven't seen the theatre production of the Lion King, you better make sure the next chance it is in your country, see it!  The music from the movie is fantastic and this song is one of my favourites.

This is the most inspiring.  I hope it inspires your spine to tingle..

..and for you to take your first born to the nearest rocks and lift him to the sky, like I did with my little lion cub :)

Enjoy!

 

- tork

Best of Eurovision 2011 Germany

Yes, I love Eurovision.  With little sleep and one large mug of coffee, I got through the whole show!  Here were my favourite countries.

Best Eurovision Performances 2011

Italy

Song was very good.  I do enjoy a tinkle of the ivories and the big band style.  Very unique sound from the whole night.

Denmark

A very now song. It was wicked. Reminded me of Chemical Romance in a way. Enjoyed it!

Switzerland

These guys came last. I thought they are great! Ukulele's are awesome :) Why did Switzerland come last? I got no idea! Do you think they deserved it?

Germany

The hosts for this year's Eurovision 2011 was Germany. Lena last year was my favourite (and everybody's fave!). Lena came back for this sultry number that was so very awesome. Loved it.

Top 3 Eurovision songs 2011

Here are my top 3 favourites from the night.

Ireland - Jedward - Lipstick

Voted by Australians to be the very best of the night was Ireland. I thought they were the third best. Great song, great performance, great costumes.. great hair hehehe.

Moldova - Zdob & Zdub - So Lucky

I love the crazy acts each year. These guys were one of the most out there groups. But I actually loved their song, as well as their weird fairy girl on a unicycle :-) My second fave act of the night.

Iceland - Sjonni's Friends - Coming Home

Hands down, best song of the night. Originally it were to be sung by a dude called Sjonni, but tragically early in the year he died. His friends decided to put their hands up to still do his song. So six of his pals, coincidentally awesome singers, got together to sing this moving song for their friend that recently passed away.

Great work, and my favourite for the night!

So, who was the actual winner of Eurovision 2011 Germany? Some country called Azerbaijan. I didn't think it was very good. It was okay I guess, but it was as if Jennifer Lopez and her Ricky Ponting look alike son sang an awkward 'romantic' song to each other. I guess I should show it to you, here it is:

Now we look forward to Eurovision 2012 in Azerbaijan. Let me get the Atlas so I can find out where the f*ck that is!

- tork