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THE LOOP: The Return of Real Cricket and other Miscellany

25 October 2007

Greetings from NZ's largest suburb, Karori, on the high velt. The sun is out, and the thwack of leather on willow can now be heard about the paddocks and artifical wickets of Aotearoa. Cricket season is here, and so too are we. And yes we are aware that it has been a long time between drinks on The Loop front - but we have been busy...

The northern hemisphere division of the Beige Brigade completed successful missions to Edinburgh & Cardiff (say no more - photos are here). The rugby aside, back in Enzed, Mike's commentary of the matches on Radio Live with Kev Sinnott was a highlight in the wee small hours on the wireless. Note too that he was delighted to be the only member of the NZ media contingent to swagger about in a lycra suit - as reported in the Dominion Post. And if you feel the need to wallow in the sadness that was Cardiff just a little longer, have a listen to the We're Shithouse At Rugby song and remember that we are now officially better at cricket (top 4 in the world) than rugby (top 8).

We are considering getting along to the Hadlee-Chappell Series in Australia in December, although it is a bloody awkward time to get away on a mission. We are all go for the England tour to London, Manchester and Nottingham in May/June 2008 as well. Let us know if you are a starter with an email to beigehq@beigebrigade.co.nz.

For some of the greatest Beige Brigade-related body painting, check out these pics in The Visuals. Outrageous and so magnificently Palmerston North. One is slightly dodgy if you look closely at the middle wicket - but for sheer commitment, unbeatable.

The BYC, our free podcast, is knocking it into the gaps and looking to raise the bat for 50 episodes very soon - 48*. We're always keen to hear from punters all around the world - get in touch with an email to BYC@beigebrigade.co.nz on that front. Our #1 listener, Woofy, was spotted sleeping off a few Lion Browns in a dumpster following the All Blacks loss in Cardiff so that is evidence that we are hitting a high-class demographic.

Look out for some Beige Brigade-penned insights into the South African series (Offspin magazine in New Zealand) and our head's up guide to cricketing life in NZ for Barmy Army visitors to our shores later in the season (SPIN Magazine in the UK and elsewhere). Also, keep an eye on the Stuff.co.nz blogs - a familiar face may soon be chipping away from there as well.  

We were asked onto Kiwi sports quiz show, The Game of 2 Halves earlier this month. A surreal experience (in lycra) as the Godfather and Browny lined up with Marc Ellis and Mike King, while Willie and Muzza were with Matthew Ridge and Richard Turner. There was a food fight and the set was kung fu kicked by Macca, so it was certainly a show to remember - see some of the chaos here.

Some inspiration from Tokyo: From a note we received: "I went to a presentation by a guy called Tim Williams who founded a very successful company in Tokyo called ValueCommerce. He's a bit of a guru since they were the first foreign company in Japan to IPO and then get listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. There were probably about 100 people there and the attached photo was the last slide of his presentation.  Apparently it sums up his whole approach to life/business. Also, he told me he bought a whole bunch of shirts from you guys for a stag party a while back."

Last start we mentioned we were seeking to secure the Southland Streaker's socks. Mission accomplished, and streaker revealed. As you can see, the socks were pretty much your basic model. They will take pride of place in the Beige Museum, once we get it up and running.

For something ridiculous, make sure you read Beige Brigade co-founder Mike Lane's recent profile in Kiwi business mag, Unlimited. Demonstrating the total lack of modesty and sense, note the final comment where he talks about the Beige Brigade 'taking on' Virgin. Nothing like a stretch target is there?

And as a parting shot - just remember nothing (not even Wellington) beats Sir Richard Hadlee on a good day - sheer bliss at the Gabba. And Flem we will miss your boyish good looks and your slightly deviant moustache on the ODI field.

As you were,

Paul & Mike, Beige Brigade HQ