The Silver Fern

<p>The Imitation Game.......superb! </p>

<p>Four weeks since the little op. Very happy with the recovery. Did a short session on both the stationary cycle and reformer this week……All OK.</p>
<p>Had to reduce the range and resistance on the reformer a bit but I think I will get back to previous range quickly.<br>
Very little pain…….groin just stiff with a blob of scar tissue….will soften and mould away over time.<br>
Was surprised to see how much weight I gained over the last couple of weeks…..88kg now.<br>
Need to keep it closer to 80………will have to cut back a bit on the droë wors and cheese!<br>
Cold weather flab maybe……</p>
<p>The next challenge is to completely stop using the lift........realistically about a three month target I think. </p>
<p>Even if I change to using the staircase as my main exercise and cut back on the other stuff....the real world advantage will be worth it.</p>
<p>So there....that is the challenge.</p>

Cool. If it acts up in any way just get an ultrasound done.....<br>
Best of luck with the recovery.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Paekakboyz" data-cid="493764" data-time="1433206579"><p>Phew, not a hernia. A small localised abdominal strain instead. I'll take that any day of the week! The strain was kind of a lump which was what had me worried in terms of hernia symptoms. lol must have picked up a smidge of hypochondria from me ol Ma!<br>
 <br>
So no heavy work that relies on core for the next month. So no squats and deads of any significant weight. Probably ok with light ab work within a couple of weeks but softly, softly. Had to reschedule my PT session but will hit the gym sat for arms and legs. Light bench will be ok but I'll be taking it easy.<br>
 <br>
Really stoked that it's only a strain. Probably did it at the last PT session. With the trap bar it was 5*5 at 185kg or so with 60 sec breaks. Enough to break my shit!, but such is life. Does give me an opportunity to do some cardio. With a focus on 'do' rather than 'think about' cardio  :whistle:</p></blockquote>
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Sorry mate ....only saw this now. Did they check it with an ultrasound?

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jegga" data-cid="495069" data-time="1433791601"><p>I met these poeple at the saturday market in Nelson last weekend, <a class="bbc_url" href="http://www.therugbybox.com/">http://www.therugbybox.com/</a><br>
If you love rugby stats or history check out the link, I'm getting one for the old mans birthday. The couple that do the graphics and algorithms on the posters are both south african so we had a short discussion about the period of Springbok success and the "no maoris allowed to tour South Africa" and "no neutral refs"  policies and how they reflected on test results, They were good sports and knew more than enough to hold their own .</p></blockquote>
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Have a look at that leg of lamb potjie recipe on that website......bloody marvellous!

<p>If you are trying to find a hero in this entire FIFA saga.....here is one for you.</p>
<p>Why can't there be more people like this?</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/06/03/how-a-curmudgeonly-old-reporter-exposed-the-fifa-scandal-that-toppled-sepp-blatter/'>http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/06/03/how-a-curmudgeonly-old-reporter-exposed-the-fifa-scandal-that-toppled-sepp-blatter/</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The key is not to suck up to people in power...</p>
<p>I absolutely love the way he puts the bait out there.........hats off dude!</p>

Yip.......As a spinoff I see this penalty shootout in the US is now under investigation for match fixing. Personally I cant see it......all looks above board.......except maybe the last save? <br><br>

<p>It looks like you have about $5.7 BILLION sloshing around in the FIFA kitty between World Cups……all in the hands of a few sports administrators.<br>
Definitely no chance of any ….”misappropriation”….. there!<br>
And no wonder you have a myriad of guys desperately trying to get their hands on that honeypot…..with the current mob doing everything possible to maintain the status quo.</p>
<p>
$5.7 billion is enough to start a war in many parts of the world…..so brace yourself for a moral, ethical, cultural and legal onslaught of epic proportions.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>
It is also interesting to see the fairly low profile that the main sponsors are keeping with regards to the latest saga……no doubt wishing/ knowing it will soon blow over.</p>
<p>Fans actually donâ€t give a shit about the governing body…they support their team and that is mostly that……Sanzar is a good example in that regard.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>
I actually do think that FIFA needs some reform……but I†m hugely skeptical about whether that wonâ€t just mean that the power / money shifts to some old school clique…….<br>
I also think there is merit in the argument that countries that contribute more financially through viewer numbers / TV rights should have a bigger say…….but just think about how we despise that arrangement for cricket with the Big Three controlling just about all aspects of the game?<br>
And you can probably kiss development in some of the minnow nations good bye if you donâ€t need their vote anymore…..but do we really care if they are playing cricket / soccer in Malawi? Or in Cape Verde? Or is it just window dressing in any case?<br>
So yeah….pick your poison…..</p>

<p>Blatter is a doos so I feel a bit silly to try and defend him........but his opponent yesterday was a Prince in the Jordan Royal family........Prince Ali bin-al Hussein..........according to his official website he is a 43rd generation direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.........OK? I can see that being popular.....</p>
<p> </p>
<p>For those that do not understand Blatter's popularity with the minnows.......this paragraph testifies to it:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Quote</p>
<p>European nations also revealed they were near-united in support of Mr Blatter's challenger.</p>
<p>They even reiterated their threat to withdraw from FIFA and the World Cup if Mr Blatter was to stay in the job.</p>
<p><strong>However the threat did not go down well with some other countries, who saw it as football's richest, oldest members trying to bully the developing world.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Mr Blatter's support base was in the scores of smaller nations who have benefited from a steady flow of money, channeled from the immense profits from World Cup sponsorship, broadcast rights and ticket sales into the provision of new football infrastructure and promotion in countries that many may not even have heard of, let alone cared about.</strong></p>
<p>Typical is Cape Verde, a tiny nation of half a million people on ten volcanic islands off the coast of West Africa.</p>
<p>Mario Semedo, former head of Cape Verde's football association, now on FIFA's development committee, told Friday's meeting with pride and gratitude the country had no grass pitches in 1998,  and now has 25, five of which were financed by FIFA – which also helped build two training centres.</p>
<p>Unquote</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Isn't that the exact thing we are accusing the IRB of neglecting? Looking after grass roots development for the game?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Blatter also understands the one man, one vote system.....just like most political parties do. </p>
<p>But it is hugely ironic how the west is now squealing about how 'unfair'and corrupt this system is when it doesn't work in their favour.......Huh?</p>
<p>Isn't that the same system that they <strong>forced</strong> on South Africa to get rid of the old evil white regime? Now suddenly that shoe does not fit so well? </p>
<p>No weighted votes allowed.......one man, one vote. Welcome to democracy....wear the fucken shoe!</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jegga" data-cid="493272" data-time="1432932580"><p>I just emailed tv3 and asked them pm ETS and see if he's free between 7 and 7:30 on week nights.</p></blockquote>
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I don't know who tv3 is and what they do......but I checked my schedule and I am "free" for $ 20 000 an hour......<br>
For that money I will tell you anything you WANT to hear!

Looks like the right kind of questions are now starting to emerge about the $46 million Aus spent on their bid....<br>
Allegations on morning TV that half of that was paid as bribes to corrupt officials to try and secure the bid.....will have to see if it sticks with any evidence.....any bets?

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="493125" data-time="1432882784">
<div>
<p>You haven't actually provided any evidence of the other sort of corruption. <strong>You also don't provide any sources. You come up with 1.2 billion dollars from somewhere but the New York Times says both Obama and Romney spent less than that in the last election.</strong> What is this bigger bribery we are falling over every day?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If this isn't a strawman argument then I don't know what is.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Fair question Hydro......</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2015/jun/04/how-money-runs-our-politics/'>http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2015/jun/04/how-money-runs-our-politics/</a></p>
<p>
This can probably explain the loophole used in the tax code to channel "dark money" donations best of all....most other articles on the matter is based on party political hype and distorts the fact that both sides are equally guilty.....well worth the read in understanding the landmark Citizens United court case and verdict which has changed US politics forever.......with worldwide resultant implications.......<br>
In fact you are wasting your time trying to follow the US election campaigns without a good understanding of all this......follow the money.<br>
It looks like the $1.2 billion bar is going to be smashed to bits in 2016.....</p>
<p> </p>
<p>That only answers some of your questions......the rest you will have to figure out for yourself  :yes:</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="493101" data-time="1432866860">
<div>
<p>I'm confused El Toro.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Are you saying that the FIFA corruption is OK because others are also corrupt (and depending on your viewpoint they aren't the worst)?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Are you also saying that paying bribes is OK if it gets good results?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I am pointing out the naivety and subjectivity of dealing with the term ......corruption. And how certain people like to define it for their benefit.....I am not defending it.</p>
<p>And I do cringe a little when the cop is arresting somebody with his left hand…while the right hand is dripping with blood from his own murderous spree……</p>
<p> </p>
<p>
One man's corruption/ bribe is another man's  "business skill"…<br>
In first world countries "sophisticated" means are used to set up agreements for people in corporate and political power to gain enormous wealth from anything like arms deals.....to agricultural produce.....screwing the competition in the process....and even sending thousands to their graves in extreme cases.  All done by upstanding citizens..... above board....untouchable in a court of law.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>
It works differently in third world countries......a "doorman" fee of varying percentage is the norm in Africa and lots of other third world countries. It is simple business, comes with the territory and not even frowned upon. Huge multi-nationals doing business in Africa knows this and adapt their systems to accommodate the norm. All the big miners......everyone knows you wonâ€t get anything done if you don't participate.<br>
The difference between the two systems is that one comes with less red tape…..<br>
Whether it is wrong or right is not my point........</p>
<p> </p>
<p>
And I feel bugger all for FIFA...... they can fry for all I care.......the irony that the whole case was built on simple tax evasion adds to the stupidity of those involved.....fuck the Feds......the IRS will get you if nobody else will!</p>
<p>
But I do laugh at the naivety and moral outrage of people cocooned in a first world bubble of spin and bullshit.....falling over much bigger corruption every day without even noticing it......<br>
How do you stamp it out? Fuck knows......probably canâ€t be done. One way or the other it will surface again.....wearing a new coat.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>
Also.....Can you think of a "fair" system of allocating the soccer WC? Fair to whom?<br>
One where the guy with the biggest budget wonâ€t simply bully the small guys into oblivion?</p>

And I read somewhere that the South African government is "accused" of underwriting a $10 million bribe that secured the 2010 games.........that would be the bargain of the century!! I think it was probably closer to $100 million. Buying the games for Africa for the first time in history.......priceless.

<p>What a godsend this whole thing must be for the US Department of Justice that has become a laughing stock within their home country for their complete incompetence to curb institutional, corporate and congressional corruption.<br>
FIFA represents an incredibly soft target……old style money laundering, racketeering and suitcases full of cash! Yeah….lets go after that….we can probably proof something! ( but letâ€s not go anywhere near the average $1.2 billion of “dark” campaign donations per candidate finding its way to prop up each and every US president…..noooooooo…..thatâ€s just lobbying.)<br>
FFS! You have another Clinton!....and another Bush!.....coming up for election in 2016!<br>
Paying $40 000 cash in a suitcase to buy a vote = corruption<br>
Paying $ 1.2 billion to buy a president = lobbying</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Mmmmmmm……</p>
<p>Letâ€s keep going…..<br>
Fuck up a non US sport code in the process….check<br>
Fuck up an upcoming Russian event in the process…check<br>
Fuck up an upcoming Middle Eastern event in the process…check<br>
Detract from the fact that we canâ€t touch any high flying corruption on home soil…check<br>
Put the focus back on third world corruption…check (nearly all the guys implicated up to now are from third world countries)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Mmmmmmm……</p>
<p>Are FIFA corrupt…off course they are. Their problem is that they are not sophisticated enough to hide the corruption in bonus and incentive schemes as per the norm in the modern corporate world.</p>
<p>They are old style crooks….. in a world that is only able to catch old style criminals.<br>
You scratch my back…...Iâ€ll scratch yours……Very, very old principle….only the rules of how you hide it has changed.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Out of this entire bloody affair........what I am most interested in.....is this...<br>
 Who were the idiots that approved $46 million(?) of Australian taxpayers money to run a campaign that netted……one vote!</p>
<p>Think of how many people made quite a bit of money from that campaign…probably knowing full well from the start that they donâ€t have a snowballâ€s hope in hell to get the nod.</p>
<p>Probably charged $15 million for a power point presentation that included a kangaroo somewhere……</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I think it was Commodore Vanderbilt that once said the definition of an honest politician is:<br>
One who when bought….stays bought…</p>

<p>Looks like 12 mm concrete rebar.......construction site injury. Nasty stuff.....</p>
<p>Missed all his vital organs........or did it? Some are more vital than others I suppose! Ouch!</p>

<p>
Felt a bit of a restriction and growing bump in my left groin probably for last few months. It got worse as I started to do deeper exercises on the reformer so decided to have it checked out a couple of weeks ago. No real pain at any time…just discomfort. No big deal.<br>
Doc first thought it might be a hernia but ultrasounds found it is not. Followed up with MRI with probable lipoma diagnosed…..not supposed to be related to any other issues.<br>
So was lined up to have it removed yesterday afternoon….supposedly in and out of hospital in maybe 4 to 5 hours. Oops!<br>
When they opened the thing they found it had pushed in underneath the muscle layer and had to cut quite a bit deeper to get it out.  So I had to stay the night and now hobble around with a bloody external drain to the wound that looks like something from a Frankenstein movie.<br>
Hip / groin movement will have to be restricted for quite a while until this 80mm cut and hole heals up…  Not sure when I will get back on the reformer or cycle.…or how much of my conditioning will slip away….. will just have to wait and see.<br>
It was “interesting” to watch the post-op and overnight staff trying to give me some prescribed Endone.  I tried to tell them in the nicest possible way to fuck -off!  Not going anywhere near that again! But it really seems like the pain management therapy that I have been taught over the last couple of years simply moves the pain threshold to where you want it. You even do this sub-consciously after a while….so it simply kicked in after the op. Unexpected surprise and bonus….Iâ€ll take it….<br>
Speedbump…..</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="JK" data-cid="489919" data-time="1431460424"><p>
 <br>
 <br>
And yep, the prep requirements makes a diet like this harder to maintain for us mere mortals. I'm on 7meals a day (1 or 2 though are usually just whey + a carb source) and find that unless I prep well on sunday evenings then the week can be a bit shit. Even then, each night before bed I gotta make sure I'm sorted for the next day given that meals 2, 3, 4 and 5 are consumed while at work. If I'm not prepped then I'm forced to go buy sushi etc to get me through.</p></blockquote>
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Some serious discipline and determination right there......Hats off!

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="488871" data-time="1430953459"><p>So who is your favourite Wallaby now me ole cobber?</p></blockquote>
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Dunno.....my mind feels a little vague and slow since the ceremony.......I hope it passes soon? Nick?

<p>Not exactly directly related to my rehab but still a big milestone this morning…….</p>
<p>
We eventually got round to attending a citizenship ceremony to activate our Australian citizenship. We were eligible two years ago already but my little episode held us back a bit.<br>
Lots of mixed emotions so I wonâ€t go there…. dual citizenship etc.</p>
<p>
More than 300 people from 41 different nationalities attended and were sworn in. Was impressed with the proceedings…. Fairly quick with just the right amount of theatre involved….speech, pledge, anthem etc.</p>
<p>
This was the biggest (only) occasion that I attended since early 2012.</p>
<p>Managed OK but one thing that I have come to appreciate of late was there in all its glory….again. Even though I am much better and manage a few stairs with relative ease nowadays, you had to go down a long and steep staircase to get to the demarcated area in the auditorium. Just out of my range. NO access ramp or lift.So we ended up sitting right at the back with the visiting families, miles away from the other new citizens.</p>
<p>I have designed and built commercial and public buildings all my life and the norm is to provide the absolute minimum requirements of disability aids like ramps, ablutions and lifts to satisfy the various local building codes.</p>
<p>It has tightened up nowadays but some councils used to let you get away with providing just about nothing. And from a cost point of view, you would not offer anything more…without ever thinking about it, or blinking an eye.<br>
Unbelievable how my perception of all this has changed now! Nothing like living it to get you to appreciate the inconvenience and humiliation disabled people have to go through all their life.</p>
<p>
My problem will be gone eventually / soon,  but this lesson will stick.</p>