The passage of time in Wellington and elsewhere
The Jubilee Cup final result: North 16, MSP 21
For those in the know, Craig played, subbed after 51 minutes. By the reaction on leaving the field I guess it was his last game.
The game was played at the stadium, and we estimate a crowd of 3 thousand. A beautiful calm sunny day.
Shaz, Joe , Isaac and myself in attendance.
Last Friday I accompanied the moody teenager to the ballet at St. James’ theatre. Our trip this time was to see La Sylphide, one that difficult one was keen to see as she had performed part of it herself in the big performance last year.
It is a romantic ballet with a Scottish theme. I enjoyed the dancing but the whole performance lacked something compared to previous ballets, especially last year’s visit to Romeo and Juliet. The music this time around was not so special or distinctive, and so the overall effect was diminished. The body of the ballet was relatively short, and so it had a “filler” scene inserted at the beginning, which made for a disconcerting start.
Prior to the ballet, Shaz and I went along to top up our “films with subtitles” exposure. We enjoyed a Danish number at the film festival. Flame et Citron I found a great experience. So well shot and intense. The story of Nazi execution by resistance fighters, but who knows the truth of the information being acted upon? Who is who? I whose interest were instructions being given? the effect on individuals of their actions. All so good, and I was not shuffling in my seat because of the long running time for a change. So a worthwhile experience-recommended to all.
Not every one can be brilliant
The Ashes series is currently hard to understand. The amazingly fragile English batting has reached the depths that I remember all to frequently from our younger days. The quality of England has been over state;, when they managed to to bowl very well for a few overs to take lots of wickets, but otherwise were average. However, they came into the test with the advantage and with more pressure on Australia. So what has happened, and why have they crumbled so precipitously? At the same time the Australians are obviously finding batting to their liking, but then I would fancy my chances at the moment against the England attack.
How are the minds working in the team? Is it all in the head? The “top two inches”.
The insight can come from unsuspecting sources: Joseph’s rugby team, who as previously mentioned are not setting the rugby world alight. Last week they were hammered-the ton was conceded. How do you improve when your confidence is so low? At the same time, when you have had so little of the ball during games you do not learn what to do with the ball when it occasionally comes your way. Yesterday the team were going a familiar way against St. Pats Silverstream. The first half was 40-0, so much of down to fear of contact and tackling in particular. All so disheartening, and the sense of pain on the touch line uniform amongst the regular parents and the coaches. Then in the second half the team changed. They were within 2 minutes of winning the second half 5-0. It seemed just to take commitment form a few of the boys to drag the performance up of the rest of the team. Where did it come from? I am not sure, but it shows that there is more within a team than is always to come to the fore.
I suppose successful coaches are paid lots of dosh because they can connect with the team and pull the performances out of the team that the greater than the constituent parts.
I am not expecting a Bothamesque miracle for the current Headingly debacle, so await the last Test with interest.
Where are they going to find a second half turn around by the Oval?