Tipping for Dummies: Round 2

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How good is it to have footy back on our teles! What’s even better is that my beautiful face was featured at the end of the Broncos game where I was cheering decked out in Broncos gear. What’s even better than that is I got to meet the victorious team afterwards! Memberships = worth every dollar.

Everybody's favourite Tipping for Dummies!

Everybody’s favourite Tipping for Dummies!


SolSat’s predictions from round one: 3 of 8 (37.5%) Oops. However, I will make note that the Queensland teams were the ones to not let me down. Yeah. Think about it.

Friday March 14, 2014
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs @ Bluetongue Stadium
Manly are coming off a last minute-one point loss to Melbourne Storm in round one after an extremely impressive first half. The Bunnies, however, caused what many believed to be an upset when they toppled the reigning premiers with a 20 point win. South Sydney have made no changes to their team, while Wolfman makes his return for the Sea Eagles.
SolSat’s prediction: South Sydney Rabbitohs
Call me old fashioned but I believe in the idea that momentum serves a lot to a team’s spirit and form. The momentum that the Bunnies have gotten so far with their win over the Chookies last week will catapult them into victory over the always-impressive Eagles.

Brisbane Broncos vs. North Queensland Cowboys @ Suncorp Stadium
Queensland’s major rivalry comes to a head as the Broncos take on the Cowboys at Suncorp. Betting odds were against the Broncos last week but my boys proved their critics wrong with a six point victory over the Bulldogs. The Cowboys were also successful over the Raiders in their own six point victory, so both teams will be looking to continue their momentum in the Queensland Derby match.
SolSat’s prediction: Brisbane Broncos
No offence against my boys but this is a tentative tip. The Broncos are good, sure, but the Cowboys are one of the most consistently excellent teams in the NRL, but I do believe that the Broncos will have the slight edge over North Queensland this week.

Saturday March 15, 2014
New Zealand Warriors vs. St. George Illawarra Dragons @ Eden Park
The Warriors will host the Dragons this Saturday at Eden Park after suffering a huge loss to the reinvigorated Parramatta Eels. Dragons players Jack de Belin and Michael Witt join Josh Dugan on the injury sideline. After an impressive performance from newly acquired Gareth Widdop, the Dragons will look to continue their winning form.
SolSat’s prediction: St. George Illawarra Dragons
Gareth Widdop anyone? But seriously, after a disappointing effort from the Warriors last week, I kind of expect the Dragons to make good work of the Warriors. On a side note: Gareth Widdop anyone?

Melbourne Storm vs. Penrith Panthers @ AAMI Park
The Storm and the Panthers clash at AAMI Park with both teams being victorious in the previous round over Manly and Newcastle respectively. Storm playmaker Cooper Cronk returns to the Melbourne side but Penrith’s Jamal Idris and Tim Grant will be rested for another week.
SolSat’s prediction: Melbourne Storm
This one is a tentative tip as well as the Panthers have clearly had the best off season of any team in the NRL. Their acquisitions and their re-design of the club has clearly led to better form, but the Storm are the Storm. And Cooper Donkey’s back.

Sydney Roosters vs. Parramatta Eels @ Allianz Stadium
The Chookies will look to recover after a huge defeat at the hands of the Rabbitohs last week in the opening game while the Eels have been motivated with a win over the Warriors. The Chookies will be without big man Sonny Bill Williams after a shoulder charge ruled him out for three weeks.
SolSat’s prediction: Sydney Roosters
Soz not soz Eels, the Chookies are a dominant team despite their loss last week. Even with the Eels dominating last week against the Warriors, I expect their momentum to be stopped by Robbo’s team of athletes.

Sunday March 16, 2014
Gold Coast Titans vs. Wests Tigers @ CBUS Super Stadium
The Titans caused possibly the biggest upset of round one with a victory over the Sharkies but the Tigers were the victims of a 20 point loss to the Dragons. Titans player Luke Douglas will be in doubt for this game with a thumb injury despite being named. The Tigers have an extended bench for this game.
SolSat’s prediction: Gold Coast Titans
The Titans are, in my sweet and humble opinion, one of the most underrated teams in the game today. They make solid runs and Aidan Sezer’s kicking game is unmatched. The Tigers will need to so some major re-thinking if they want to get back into finals contention.

Newcastle Knights vs. Canberra Raiders @ Hunter Stadium
The Knights take on the Raiders in the closing game of Sunday. Knights fullback Darius Boyd has been ruled out with injury and will be replaced by Kurt Gidley while Canberra’s side remains unchanged. Both teams will look to get back on the right track after losing in round one.
SolSat’s prediction: Newcastle Knights
The Knights had a bit of a hiccup last week. Well, a huge hiccup, but still, their form is much better than that of the Raiders. Come on, Ricky Stuart, sort it out. I like the Raiders side and it’s sad to see them this… sad.

Monday March 17, 2014
Canterbury Bulldogs vs. Cronulla Sharks @ ANZ Stadium
The Bulldogs will host the Sharks at ANZ Stadium in the last game of the round. The Sharks continue to get bad news as captain Paul Gallen has been ruled out for the next six weeks with an injury, and Andrew Fifita has been named in the side despite facing a possible shoulder charge suspension.
SolSat’s prediction: Canterbury Bulldogs
After suffering a loss at the hands of my boys (insert arrogant hair flip here), the Doggies will use that as a fire under their asses to get back to their top form. Amongst all this ASADA crap that is ruining the game, the Sharks have lost their own fire, so the Doggies will take advantage of that.

– by The Black Widow

Dating Nikki: Casual dating

Posted in Dating Nikki by

This one is for the commitment-troubled or those resistant to relationships who still want that lovey dovey feeling. Or just someone to spoon at night.

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So you want to go out on dinner dates and watch a movie with someone in the backseat but you don’t want anything to be “too serious” or long-term. While you may have been frowned upon and even christened with a bright red A previously, in the 21st century, that is a completely normal thing to want. If you’re not already familiar with the term, let me introduce you to “casual dating.”

Life and casual dating according to Nikki
What is casual dating?
Casual dating is when you date one or more people at the same time in a casual and relaxed state, and I mean date in the literal sense – you go out and play putt putt together, or go for a nice hike in the mountains together. Casual dating isn’t used to find that “special somebody” but more for getting to know other people better in a more intimate manner. And yes, you could be banging your casual dates at the same time as well. Casual dating can also be used to find what qualities you want and don’t want in a potential special someone.

What are the benefits of casual dating?
You can see several people at the same time without feeling guilty for cheating. While people may think casual dating is just a term used for “being a slut”, it really isn’t if it’s done properly. Like I said before, it’s a great way to pinpoint certain qualities you would want in a future partner, without getting too serious that you feel pressured to take the next step with them.

How do I go about casual dating?
After you’ve done making that connection with someone, ask them out on a date. However, a huge disclaimer should be made at the beginnings of this budding friendship that you aren’t looking for anything serious. It would be severely awkward if you’re going in looking for a bit of young, innocent fun and the other person is looking for their eternal lover. Once it’s settled, hang out together, cuddle, whatever. The limits are endless.

What should I know about casual dating before I dive in?
The traditional romance enthusiasts don’t think highly of casual dating as they think it’s borderline promiscuous. To them, I say: it’s the 21st century. Just like female celebrities of nowadays don’t act like the female starlets of Grace Kelly’s era, society has changed with time. Casual dating is okay. Judging is not. Also, you may develop actual feelings for someone you are casually dating. If this happens, don’t be alarmed – that’s normal. If a committed relationship is a mutual agreement, do it.

If you need any suggestions for casual dates, the same rules would apply to a couple who are looking for a committed relationship. Go bowling. Go out to dinner. Go for a walk on the beach. Enjoy yourself.

– by The Black Widow

The Lone Vegetarian

Posted in Body, Food & Nutrition by

The sky was an eery shade of red and the vermillion hues in the grass matched it perfectly. The sounds of cattle crying out sounded throughout the field. A baby piglet stared up at me with its lifeless eyes, its mouth slightly ajar. Blood was pouring out of its neck profusely.

#datvegetarianlyf

#datvegetarianlyf

This was the nightmare I had as a teenager that made me want to become a vegetarian for the right reasons. I had tried it once before, with the goal of losing weight by taking meat out of my diet, but it didn’t work out. Now, I can happily say that I’ve stuck with my vegetarianism for the past six years because of that conscious decision I made.

As a Pacific Islander – who are infamous meat eaters in their own right – living life as a vegetarian in a family full of carnivores is definitely as difficult as it sounds. With my busy schedule of combining college, work and my outside hobbies, I barely get enough time to cook a decent meal for myself. When I get home and there’s a chicken dish sitting on the kitchen counter, it’s either my job to a) Pick around the deceased animal and eat or b) Think of something quick and easy to make. On my most busy days, a pot of boiling water and a bag of pasta becomes my best friend.

Nine times out of ten, I have to cook for myself on my days off. Dinner will usually consist of meat which means I’ll have to cook my own vegetarian option. If my family is feeling sorry for me, they’ll either make the main dish vegetarian acceptable or take out a bit for me before they add the meat. When I go to extended family events or social gatherings, the meat-eater in my relatives and friends are very apparent and my options are very limited. I am usually only left with a bit of salad and baked potatoes on my plate.

Dining out as a vegetarian has become a lot easier than it was when I first started: I am aware of my options and know which restaurants cater to the eating-conscious. There are a few restaurants that have little to no vegetarian options so I’m left with ordering an egg and mayo sandwich and a glass of water.

I’ve learned most of the dishes in my arsenal from my mother. When there’s meat involved, I easily just substitute it with tofu and my own version of the meal is created! One of my go-to dishes is called a “Hawaiian Haystack” which was passed down from my mum: it’s basically a dish where you have rice and stack honey mustard tofu on top of that, and you continue to stack various ingredients on top of that, including cheese, dry noodles and pineapple. Seriously. Try it. Honey mustard tofu is to die for.

Life as a vegetarian in a family full of meat eaters is challenging,  but it’s not impossible. Nothing is impossible for me. Insert arrogant hairflip here.

– by The Black Widow

Tipping for Dummies: Round 1

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The 2014 NRL season starts tonight… and you know what that means: Tipping for Dummies is back!

Everybody's favourite Tipping for Dummies!

Everybody’s favourite Tipping for Dummies!

The opening round is sure to be a big one with several key matches taking place, perhaps none bigger than the first two.

Thursday March 6, 2014
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Sydney Roosters @ ANZ Stadium
Yes. This happened. Somehow, in the realm of possibility, these two were put together in the opening match of the opening round. The reigning premiers will start the defense of their title as they clash with their long-storied rivals, the Bunnies. One of the notable ins for this game is the Bunnies debut of veteran Lote Tuqiri.
SolSat’s prediction: Sydney Roosters
The Chookies have what, 98% of their premiership winning team playing in this opening game so quite solely based on that, the Chookies will win this one with a slight edge over their opponents. Don’t expect the Bunnies to go down without a fight, though.

Friday March 7, 2014
Canterbury Bulldogs vs. Brisbane Broncos @ ANZ Stadium
My boys will fly down to the state of cockroaches as they take on the Doggies in Friday Night Football. This is a key match for the Broncos as the debuting Ben Barba will collide with his former team in the big one for the first time. Bias aside, the Broncos have made key changes to their side as co-captain Cozza will play in the front row and Hoffman will play as five-eighth.
SolSat’s prediction: Brisbane Broncos
I am hoping for a Broncos win, of course, but I think with the new side – and the overall “refreshing” of the team – that the Broncos can take this one, much like they beat the Doggies in their last game for 2013. Minus the emotional farewell of Princey.

Saturday March 8, 2014
Penrith Panthers vs. Newcastle Knights @ Sportingbet Stadium
The start of Saturday footy sees the Panthers take on the Knights. The Panthers, like the Broncos, have had a reinvigoration of sorts, and part of this will be seen as new recruit Jamal Idris will start for Penrith despite a hamstring complaint. Michael Dobson will take over cutie Jarrod Mullen on the Knights side.
SolSat’s prediction: Newcastle Knights
My reason for this would be 80% intuition – I just feel as if the Knights have a better side, despite the omission of Knights playmaker Mullen. The newly formed Panthers side will put up a good fight and hopefully Idris will stay unharmed in this game.

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles vs. Melbourne Storm @ Brookvale Oval
The 2013 runner-ups will face the favoured side of Melbourne Storm at Brooky Oval. The Eagles’ new recruits Josh Starling, Dunamis Lui and Cheyse Blair will make their debuts while the Storm are missing key player Cooper Cronk, who will be replaced by Ben Roberts.
SolSat’s prediction: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Again, going mainly off intuition, the Sea Eagles have been the most consistently good team in recent NRL history so I see them one-upping the Storm in what is sure to be a bloody brilliant game of league. In the end, all league enthusiasts are the winners of this one.

North Queensland Cowboys vs. Canberra Raiders @ 1300 Smiles Stadium
I’m sorry, 1300 Smiles Stadium is the funniest name of a stadium I have ever come across. Regardless, the team ledy by smiling Thurston and brute Scott will face the Canberra Raiders who, to put it bluntly, had a terrible season in 2013. The Cowboys are coming off their big win at the Auckland Nines while the Raiders are hoping to win and get the ball rolling.
SolSat’s prediction: North Queensland Cowboys
The Cowboys are truly premier contenders this year and I expect to see a stellar performance from the Queensland side on Saturday. Anthony Milford, who is going to be a baby Bronco next year (hallelujah!) will put up a good fight but the Cowboys will be hard to stop.

Sunday March 9, 2014
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs. West Tigers @ ANZ Stadium
In what is kind of not a home game for either side, two of the bottom teams from 2013 will face off in the Sunday opener as the Dragons take on the Tigers. Key Dragon player Josh Dugan will be out while the Tigers will play for the first time without Benji Marshall in the big one.
SolSat’s prediction: West Tigers
This game is a tough one to call and to be honest, I’m a bit skeppers about my decision. Regardless, I am backing the Tigers to take this one out, largely due to the fact of Dugan missing play. Here’s to a good game regardless.

Parramatta Eels vs. New Zealand Warriors
The bottom-rung team in the Eels have re-formed themselves in a desperate attempt to not get the wooden spoon for another consecutive year. They, however, have the formidable task of defeating the Warriors in round one, who had a spectacular showing at the inaugural Auckland Nines.
SolSat’s prediction: New Zealand Warriors
With all due respect to the Eels, who I truly believe will have a better season this year with players like Will Hopoate, but the Warriors have shown that they are a side not to be taken lightly, and they will go on to defeat the Eels on Saturday in what will be a surprisingly great match.

Monday March 10, 2014
Cronulla Sharks vs. Gold Coast Titans
After a scandalous year, the Sharkies will look to regain some of their fandom this year and will do so when they take on the Titans in the round’s closing game. Todd Carney has been named for the Sharks despite a hamstring injury and his Titans counterpart Aidan Sezer will look to take advantage of that.
SolSat’s prediction: Gold Coast Titans
Go with me on this one, I actually believe that the Titans, much like the Broncos, will have a much better season this year. Sezer’s kicking game is unmatched and with the return of Beau Falloon, the Titans are my pick to win this one.

Not only is my beloved NRL back but I also get the privilege of meeting the Broncos after their game on Friday night. Tis the benefits of being a club member. I highly recommend becoming a member and supporting your club!

– by The Black Widow