Posts by Russell Brown
-
Hard News: How much speech does it take?, in reply to Craig Ranapia,
Still, nice to see university students (and I assume this person was in the room for your talk)
No, I don't think so. It's just a drive-by by someone with a weak argument.
-
Woah. Hacked!
Password changed.
The sorry thing is, the person responsible could have said the same things as an actual commenter, but chose to do it the creepy way. Ugh. Not the best way to make a point, methinks.
Update: Duh. Of course. Not hacked. Just some ninny using my Gravatar and a misspelled name.
-
Hard News: Vanilla Buffalo Yoghurt, in reply to Aidan,
Listen to me, I sound like some sort of Cadel Evans wannabe, but I just commute 20kms/day and want to maintain some fitness along the way.
I'm torn between the conflicting imperatives of a hybrid, a commuter bike, and a road bike that'll be appropriate for longer distances. I've done the 50km Auckland isthmus circuit a few times, but I wouldn't want to go further than that on my current bike.
-
Hard News: Vanilla Buffalo Yoghurt, in reply to JackElder,
Nah, for sheer cargo-shifting power you want an xtracycle. Allows you to carry enough stuff (full week's grocery shops, for instance) that getting uphill becomes an iffy proposition. You live on the flat, right?
Not really ...
But I confess I'm a bit confused about where to go next bikewise.
I have the 2009 version of the GT Transeo 2.0, which is noticeably quicker since I swapped to a skinny kevlar road tyre on the front.
I wouldn't mind upgrading, but I don't really want a commuter bike. The Cannondale Quick hybrid range is on special around the corner at Rode, but ... I dunno. Maybe I'd like an actual road bike. Then again, I do want to be able to ride pavements and gravel sometimes ... Is there a really quick Quick?
-
Hard News: Science: it's complicated, in reply to Joe Wylie,
Supermarket tomatoes have improved out of sight thanks to improved breeding. There were some abominations around in the 70s, and those pale orange imposters from Queensland seem to have finally vanished.
Right through until the early 2000s, supermarket tomatoes were almost all horrible. They were basically intended not to ripen, so they’d stay “fresh” through the long supermarket supply chains.
IIRC, it was a noisy campaign by Kim Hill via her radio show that helped move things along. Supermarkets have also had to learn to design their supply chains to suit the customer rather than the supermarket. But in season, the likes of Fruit World will still have much better and cheaper tomatoes – and a better range – than the supermarkets.
The premium price commanded by vine-ripened “trusses” can’t all be due to Nigella having told people they’re better. And unless you carefully remove the fruit before you pay, they’ve found a way to sell you the stalks.
They are different tomatoes, in general – especially the small ‘n’ sweet ones. It’s good to be able to buy Romas in season, and acid free ones (which *never* turn up on the vine for some reason).
But yeah, none of them ever taste like my grandpa’s tomatoes used to.
-
Hard News: Vanilla Buffalo Yoghurt, in reply to Aidan,
Russell, re your enthusiasm for the cycle. Do you wear a backpack on the bike? If so, I'd really recommend getting a pannier or two (and using them!).
They wouldn't really suit the hybrid I ride. The cycle pack I wear works pretty well for me really.
-
Field Theory: All Blacks v South Africa…, in reply to Paul Williams,
Nelson’s data are great. Another interesting stat is Messam’s carries, 2nd overall with only 35 minutes on the park, and just ahead of Thompson. They’ve also got similar lineout stats. Tough call since I don’t think both will be on the bench.
I think you need to look at the effectiveness of those carries, though -- and Messam wasn't very effective. He goes into contact too upright and gets into trouble.
-
Field Theory: All Blacks v South Africa…, in reply to Paul Rowe,
Like Muliaina
(I joke, seriously, I joke)
Iz not grate joke.
-
Tracey Nelson's game stats are up.
Talking point: Dan Carter No.2 in the tackle count!
-
Field Theory: All Blacks v South Africa…, in reply to David Cormack,
I’ll never understand you Auckland folk and your lack of confidence in Conrad…
Nah, I'm a fan. But supposedly the coaches wanted to try Wlliams and Nonu together for a bit.