The All Blacks
New Zealand has had five big wins in the sporting arena in the last 24 hours, so that’s what a large proportion of the tweets in this country are about.
The biggest was the All Blacks vs the Barbarians (basically All Blacks “B”) at Twickenham in London. The game started in the early hours of the morning NZ time. I was awake, but didn’t watch it. I get the impression it was a pretty exciting game though. The All Blacks were losing 10-17 at half-time, so they really had to “pull finger” to get the win.
Three players made their debut for the All Blacks: Asafo Aumua, Matt Duffie, and Tim Perry. One of the All Blacks, Julian Savea, was up against his brother Ardie Savea in the Barbarians. (Ardie is the one with the hair!)
Brotherly ❤️! A touching moment as @ardiesavea and @juliansavea7 meet in the tunnel before kick off.#BARvNZL pic.twitter.com/3ff1prDGDn
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November 4, 2017
The Maori All Blacks
Yesterday, the Maori All Blacks had a game against Vancouver in Canada.
The Maori All Blacks have a history in Canada going back to 1927 and the Canadians have yet to beat them. However, the Maori All Blacks have never been beaten, so the Canadians aren’t any different to anyone else there.
The Canadians were fantastic hosts as always. They also sold out a 29,000 seat stadium, which is the biggest ever attendance at a rugby game in Canada.
I got most of the tweets for this post yesterday while I was watching the game. As a result I can’t tell you much about it. New Zealand won. By a lot. And I saw one really impressive try. That’s about it though.
The Kiwis
In between those two rugby games there was a rugby league international – New Zealand versus Scotland. The New Zealand rugby league team is known as the “Kiwis,” and Scotland team calls themselves the “Bravehearts.” New Zealand won that one by a big margin too.
I’m not a fan of rugby league. I find the game a bit boring to be honest. It’s like rugby without the good bits. It’s also not that long since every game was just a series of brawls between ill-disciplined fools with too much testosterone and not enough common sense. They seem to have mostly got rid of that aspect of the game, but I still have little interest in watching it.
The Black Caps
Our T20 cricket team beat India at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in India today. New Zealand got 196/2 in 20 overs, including a century by Colin Munro. India could only manage 156/7 in their 20 overs. This game is the second match in a series of three. India won the first game pretty easily, so it’s all on for game three!
The Breakers
The Breakers is a New Zealand basketball team that plays in the Australian league. Just before full time this afternoon it was 70-70 when a US player came up with a 3-pointer with a second to go, making it 73-70. However, then a Cairns players let off a really long three pointer with 0.1 seconds to go and made the shot. However, the rules say that it’s only a proper shot if the ball is released with 0.4 seconds on the clock. So, the Breakers won their sixth game in a row and remain at the top of the table.
Anyway, on with the show!
Political Tweets
What was that?
Once again @realDonaldTrump speaking like a 5th grader giving a book report on a book he never read. pic.twitter.com/LC3fuoQEKS
— UnsilentMajority ???? (@The_UnSilent_) November 3, 2017
If looks could kill!
#HowToBePopularIn4Words Share this image often pic.twitter.com/BQeX7aR7DH
— RiotWomenn (@riot women nn) November 3, 2017
I watched this interview and was completely disgusted. I’ve made no secret of my extreme disappointment that NZ First has so much power in our government. Tracey Martin of NZ First is the new Minister for Children. This ghastly creature was calling for a referendum on our anti-smacking legislation during the election! She thinks it’s okay to smack children, and now she’s Minister for Children! Further, the last government put the age for treatment as a child in the justice system up from 17 to 18. It was about time this was done – it should have done it years ago. NZ First voted against that, and this selfish monster is talking about lowering it again! Martin should not be Minister for Children with such attitudes in my opinion.
Q+A: Tracey Martin interviewed by Jessica Mutch https://t.co/8bHcoxPZZC
— Heather’s Homilies (@HeatherHastie) November 5, 2017
Mueller Time Tweets
Just sayin’.
Robert S. Mueller III, 3rd Marine Division, Vietnam, 1969. No bone spurs. pic.twitter.com/GaX2LWF5kO
— Hydrump (@Hy drump) November 2, 2017
I like this!
#HowToBePopularIn4Words
Publishing Robert Mueller’s Book pic.twitter.com/r7tBfDcnZv— Sue #Sista Resista (@Suein Rock ville) November 3, 2017
Environmental Tweets
Unbelievable! Apparently Trump science board advisor Robert Phalen said, “Modern air is a little too clean for optimum health.”
(Via Ann German.)
New chairman of Trump EPA science board says air quality in the US is too clean https://t.co/eXKaJQJeaE pic.twitter.com/xmS2dRbpqH
— The Hill (@thehill) November 4, 2017
Human Rights Tweets
You go girl!
Trump says he can’t be sued by his sexual assault accusers because they’re lying pic.twitter.com/WYCdfHEC90
— NowThis (@now this news) November 4, 2017
No comment.
Is there a word for sad, embarrassed, and amused all at once? Gotta be a word in German for that, right? pic.twitter.com/NwCE04JXtx
— Lemmasmith (@K8_Bowers) November 3, 2017
Ziya Tong had this response to the above tweet.
The german word that comes to mind for me is: Weltschmerzhttps://t.co/zPDzP7JeRB https://t.co/cTo0d0RiVI
— IM????HIM (@ziya tong) November 4, 2017
Religion Tweets
If only prayer worked, and the pope really did have a special line to some higher power. This is one time I’d be with him all the way.
The pope has a message about war. pic.twitter.com/16ClydYNpK
— AJ+ (@aj plus) November 4, 2017
As I’ve said before, for all the awful things religion has brought to humanity, it’s also brought us some beautiful buildings.
Russian Orthodox Church Almaty, Kazakhstan pic.twitter.com/YTJ9IJRQK3
— Architecture (@arch pics) November 4, 2017
Well said.
#atheist #gods #truth pic.twitter.com/WDSDbEOw34
— Thinking Rationally (@T Rationally) November 4, 2017
This tweet is here for no other reason than because Tom Ellis has the most gorgeous eyes …
When asking yourself #HowToBePopularIn4Words it’s quite simple, just ask:
WHAT
WOULD#LUCIFER
DO? ???? pic.twitter.com/N0y7NkNmy6— Lucifer (@Lucifer on FOX) November 3, 2017
History Tweets
I’m a day late with this because of the time zones, but it’s a nice memory. I clearly remember thinking there was hope for the US with the election of Obama in 2008. That feeling went after last year’s election.
Nine years ago today, Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/5rquQ7ifbM
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 4, 2017
Art Tweets
These are works of art in their own right.
Baroque Hot Air Baloon Light Bulbs pic.twitter.com/a19pz9E7XB
— Steampunk Tendencies (@Steam punk_T) November 2, 2017
This guy has amazing skills!
This Japanese artist paints beautiful dragons using a single brush stroke. pic.twitter.com/rItmgohcK9
— Paint Mixing & Art (@Art Mixing) November 4, 2017
I think I’ve put this up before, but I can’t get enough of it.
#HowToBePopularIn4Words By changing the world pic.twitter.com/DybzpXRl9K
— ♫ Adriano & Paulina ♫ (@keet 0007) November 3, 2017
Marine Tweets
Very cool!
Bioluminescent planktons pic.twitter.com/5LCYX39Z58
— Wild Nature (@wild nature 8040) October 21, 2017
The amazing cuttlefish.
These little fellows from Aquarium of the Pacific are Flamboyant Cuttlefish and they’re the masters of camouflage. pic.twitter.com/DDkIZs1SZ3
— Wild Nature (@wild nature 8040) October 22, 2017
This is so cool! Don’t ask me why. I just like it.
Found this floating about 10 miles out,this ball has obviously travelled a long way check out the Goose Barnacles quite pretty ???? pic.twitter.com/LCdEQNAAWy
— Annie Gilbert (@Happy Hooker 1157) November 2, 2017
Reptile Tweets
Cool pic.
Cautious by Jonatan Banista pic.twitter.com/VIZRYX0Zr0
— Wild Nature (@wild nature 8040) October 22, 2017
Great news! I think I might have put it up before as well, but that’s okay.
(Via Ann German.)
Presumed Extinct, the Rare ‘Golden Wonder’ Salamander Reappears After 42 Years — https://t.co/2Sp7I1ZI7g pic.twitter.com/RkpwHSL2LV
— Mental Floss (@mental_floss) November 4, 2017
Other Animals Tweets
I’ve said this before – baby animals are always so cute!
Baby Coati! pic.twitter.com/mWvypqIJZo
— Wild Nature (@wild nature 8040) November 3, 2017
Gorgeous, and look at those eyes!
Artic Fox pic.twitter.com/ilZ9JPdGBK
— Wild Nature (@wild nature 8040) November 4, 2017
What a sweetie!
Baby fennec fox. pic.twitter.com/F6y3misSOn
— Life on Earth (@planet epics) November 4, 2017
Baby otters are so cute!
cute baby otter nap time pic.twitter.com/UBAkHm4hI1
— Life on Earth (@planet epics) November 4, 2017
Another amazing pic.
A huge bat colony in flight at sunset pic.twitter.com/DC00bvaLfy
— World and Science (@World And Science) November 4, 2017
What big ears you have!
Fennec Fox pic.twitter.com/9sqenWVvXJ
— Life on Earth (@planet epics) November 4, 2017
Other Apes Tweets
Calaya, the gorilla at the Smithsonian, is pregnant!
We are very excited to share that western lowland gorilla Calaya is pregnant! https://t.co/1RC3bJ7bkg #GorillaStory ????❤️ pic.twitter.com/CxuRVpLPHp
— National Zoo (@National Zoo) November 3, 2017
Isn’t it cute?!
Golden Snub Nosed Monkey pic.twitter.com/HrwAyUVp6g
— Wild Nature (@wild nature 8040) November 2, 2017
Bird Tweets
They’re looking for a name for their brown kiwi chick at the Smithsonian Zoo. Check it out and maybe suggest a name. I have!
Kiwi is the national animal of New Zealand! Submit your name to us & @NZAmbassadorUS for our chick https://t.co/nGmUsQHcD9 #WeSaveSpecies pic.twitter.com/fdwjtZGfDt
— National Zoo (@National Zoo) November 3, 2017
Beautiful!
Bird-of-Paradise pic.twitter.com/9xrIIewVrl
— Wild Nature (@wild nature 8040) October 21, 2017
Owls are wonderful birds, and snowy owls especially beautiful.
Snowy owl ❄️ pic.twitter.com/gqTtnE3KFw
— Wild Nature (@wild nature 8040) November 3, 2017
What a great pic of a lovely bird!
Hunting for food, ninja style! pic.twitter.com/xKwAuF2hXd
— Wild Nature (@wild nature 8040) November 3, 2017
I think I might have posted this before too, but it’s cool.
A falcon’s amazing head stabilization ability pic.twitter.com/BM6saSUxNm
— World and Science (@World And Science) November 4, 2017
Dog Tweets
This dog has dragon breath! 😀
“Perfect timed photo of a dog breathing autumn fire” pic.twitter.com/GCGkO7DXuP
— Fluff Society (@Fluff Society) November 4, 2017
Cat Tweets
There are few things cuter than a Pallas Cat.
A Tibetan Pallas cat chilling on a branch… pic.twitter.com/Lxk5sxWXjb
— Wild Nature (@wild nature 8040) October 22, 2017
Look at that tongue!
Lioness and her cubs pic.twitter.com/9bkbIidI8W
— Wild Nature (@wild nature 8040) November 2, 2017
Oh wow! A lion cub and an ocelot! so cute!
Baby white lion and an ocelot Cub. pic.twitter.com/JFYWeL1PVM
— Wild Nature (@wild nature 8040) November 2, 2017
I’ve posted this before, but it’s been tweeted again, and it’s so good it’s worth posting again.
Schrödinger’s cat paradox pic.twitter.com/C671omtyIv
— Science (@scien mag) November 4, 2017
Oh man! I just want to cuddle it!
Scottish Fold #kitten is just toooo cute! pic.twitter.com/yeOqyOPYI1
— Cats and Kittens (@cat sn kittys) November 4, 2017
Awww!
Awe, so cute! pic.twitter.com/L9YtUOxJZQ
— DailyDose Of Kittens (@The DaiIy Kitten) November 4, 2017
Most of you know about Paddles by now, the cat who is looked after by New Zealand’s new prime minister, Jacinda Ardern and her partner Clarke Gayford. Paddles and Jacinda made Vanity Fair yesterday.
New Zealand’s Hip, Young Prime Minister Comes Complete with a Tech-Savvy Cat https://t.co/Y9emAigV19
— Heather’s Homilies (@Heather Hastie) November 4, 2017
He expected a cat to do what it was told? Seriously?
just spent all morning explaining to cat that she’s not even 1 yet so how can she possibly be writing her memoirs
Thanks a lot @FirstCatofNZ pic.twitter.com/JW92LNv926— Clarke Gayford (@NZ Clarke) October 24, 2017
So do those legs belong to Jacinda or Clarke?
You asked fur it. pic.twitter.com/JQuCpqiLej
— Paddles (@First Cat of NZ) November 2, 2017
But this is my favourite Paddles tweet!
There is no Dog. #catheist
— Paddles (@First Cat of NZ) October 30, 2017
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Since you mention cricket, the South Africa Proteas just whitewashed the Bangla Desh Tigers, in three tests, 3 ODIs and two T20 matches.
Although Bangladesh is not a highly ranked team, it still is a test playing nation. The margins of victory were so great that it was not very exciting. In none of the 8 Matches the Tigers were in the game. Must have been a nightmare for them.
After a disastrous tour in England earlier this year, the Proteas appear to have found some confidence again.
Talking about rankings
Test Cricket: 1 India, 2 South Africa, 3 England, 4 New Zealand (it must be heartening for the Black Caps they are ahead of Australia!).
ODI’s: 1 South Africa, 2 India, 3 Australia, NZ is 5th there
T20: 1 New Zealand 2 Pakistan, (NZ has less points, but also less matches, and the same rating as Pakistan) 3 West Indies.
T20 is of course the most ‘fickle’, unpredictable form of the game. Surprisingly, despite the IPL, India is only 5th there.
For Women ICC championship cricket the ranking is 1 Australia, 2 England 3 New Zealand, 4 India.
As far as Rugby goes, NZ Rugby is undisputedly rated the best in the world for quite a few years now.
Yes, it’s great to be ahead of Australia! It’s good in anything, but it’s especially good in cricket because they’re so effing arrogant about it.
I wasn’t aware SA had done so well against Bangladesh. Good on them!
Schrödinger’s cat is priceless, it deserves re-posting! Would cacatoos be as clever as crows?
The falcon’s head is also impressive I saw some kestrels wind-hovering, where they do stabilise their heads, but this is stunning!
Are they a sort of parrot? If so, they probably are really clever. The cleverest bird is the kea, and that’s a type of parrot.
You always get the best cat posts. Guess they are my favorites.
Too bad the floating ball was Spalding, not Wilson! Cast Away reference 🙂
The defamation lawsuit against Trump should be interesting. In light of Weinstein et.al., I wonder if Trump’s Access Hollywood tape would have had more impact had it happened now instead of last year. The awareness and outrage is much more potent than it was back then. Too bad the outrage doesn’t seem to be retroactive.
Many past Presidents have a plethora of pithy quotes. When the current dipshit in chief isn’t reading from a teleprompter, he can barely manage a coherent sentence. The best description I can come up with is: it’s insane.
Really cute kittehs today…are they ever not cute?
With the defamation case, I wonder if Trump will just pay her off to make her go away, then use that to say it wasn’t true and make himself some sort of martyr. I hope she carries it through the courts.
Yes, the cockatoo family belongs, together with the true parrots and the NZ parrots, to the parrot order psittaciformes. They are obviously clever,and talkative too. I think they even kinda know what they are talking about, not e.g. mixing up hello and bye-bye. I wondered if they would do even better than crows on all those intelligence.tests
And worse, I’m not even sure I would do better than a random cockatoo in those tests. 🙂
Ha ha! 😀
Thanks for the tip about the Barbarians game. I watched it on YouTube, and it was fantastic!
With haggis for brains you unescapably would 🙂
Would a Haggis brain beat a cockatoo in these practical intelligence tests? Now that’s a question (No, I’m not dissing here, I doubt if I would myself -and you kind of invite these things with your nick).
Cool! I’m glad you enjoyed it mate! 😀
(Papel) prayers on war:
I can imagine persons adoring an omnipresent, omni…. god. What I will never understand is how they can believe that such a Supreme Being powerful enough to cease wars, is unable to prevent them.
.-
That’s one of the main things that gets to me too. All this Father Knows Best, God’s Plan stuff. The fact that they all thank God for deliverance makes it clear that if there’s a God, he’s creating the problems so people will worship him.