Public Enemy No. 1

Wallabies player Quade Cooper has been targeted by the NZ and international press for weeks as "Public Enemy No. 1".  While no-one ever wants to place blame for a team loss entirely on one player, he well and truly lived up to that reputation last night in the Wallabies defeat against the too-powerful All Blacks. His performance was disappointing, to say the least.

Yes, there are 15 players on the field, but his position is integral to the team dynamics. Cooper's form in the tournament has been sub-par at best. Whether he was rattled by the pressure, out of form or over-confident and cocky, the Aussie coach Robbie Deans should have recognised this and reacted quickly. From the opening second of last night's match, it was clear there wag going to be no magic from Cooper. Just more mistakes and yet more pointless kicking away of possession. What a shame. It was 80 minutes of torture for Wallabies fans.

And that's not taking anything from the All Blacks for their victory. It kills me to say it, but they deserved it 100%. We were thoroughly outplayed all over the park. Now Gregan's famous taunt can be used on us: "four more years".

The Wallabies' World Cup hopes are still alive

Well that quarter-final match was one of the most stressful 80 minutes of my life. Particularly as I'm married to a South African. Tensions were at an all time high in our living room. The Aussies were lucky to get the win. But it's a win nonetheless!

Go Wallabies!

So that's what speed does to your face...

The FINA World Championships are on it here at the moment in Shanghai - swimming, synchronised swimming, diving, etc.

I actually watched the Mens platform diving competition the other day on TV, complete with Chinese commentary. Funnily enough, I totally got what was going on. They dived, the judges scored, the divers celebrated. Easy.

I just love this collage of the divers' faces mid-dive. Read more here.

Source: www.cnngo.com

Congratulations Cadel

I have loved watching this year's Tour de France. It was a nailbiter to the end and I am overjoyed that Cadel Evans made it to the top of the podium. He is a truly inspirational sportsman. And Australia's very first TDF winner. Incredible.

Come on Cadel!!!

I've been really getting into the Tour de France for the past five years or so, mostly because of this guy - Cadel Evans. He is such an inspiring sportsman. I hope he can beat that whinging Andy Schleck and become Australia's first TDF winner.

I just wish China offered live coverage so I could stay up all night and watch stage 19 tonight. A trip to the pub may be in order. My local pub screens the TDF each night, but alas their coverage is from Japan.  The pictures are top notch, but I love commentary, and it's just not the same in Japanese. Although tomorrow night is the time trial, so I should be able to follow it...

My favourite things of the week

I finally finished unpacking some of our books onto our new Sean Yoo book cases. Don't you just love them. We bought them from a furniture store on Anfu Lu called Casa Casa. They almost turn the books themselves into pieces of art. I haven't hung our Kozyndan art just yet and we still need to buy a comfy reading chair, but this is the start of our "reading nook". And I love my Have You Met Miss Jones bone china converse sneakers (thanks JJ!). 

And yes, more pics of the apartment soon. We're waiting on our new walnut dining table to arrive...

Now that the weather is getting warmer and warmer each day, there's nothing like a cheeky Hoegarden with a slice of lemon on a Sunday afternoon...

We also finally got around to watching Banksy's documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop.  It's an interesting commentary on the old chestnut "what is art?" and where do art and commerce meet. And you've gotta love the protagonist, Thiery Guetta, aka "Mr Brainwash".  Is he for real or an elaborate prank?

Loved the quote from Banksy: "it was at that point that I realized that maybe Thierry wasn't actually a filmmaker, and he was maybe just someone with mental problems who happened to have a camera."

We've also been enjoying watching the first season of HBO's drama Boardwalk Empire. I'm not sure if I'm loving it, but I'm warming up to it more and more with each episode.

Michael Pitt is the standout for me as Jimmy Darmody.

And I love seeing The Wire's Michael Kenneth Williams back on my screens. This time as Chalky White. But it really does make me miss Omar!

And finally, my beloved Queensland Reds pulled off a victory against the NSW Waratahs. As a fan, it was a pretty stressful match to watch, particularly all those scrums (and Ben Daley's broken nose!).  It's always a much anticipated clash and more often than not is an ugly game to watch.  But I enjoyed this one. Mainly because we won!! Although I was very sad to see Drew Mitchell get injured and get ruled out of action for the World Cup. He's one of my favourite players to watch, so it's a big blow for the Wallabies.

And talking of the Wallabies. Here's my favourite supporter in all his rugby gear. Go Oscar!