I was amused yesterday at the release of the latest Iphone from apple. A trend is growing that I noticed at the release of the Macbook Air. Steve Job’s, Apples co founder and apparent messiah stands in the middle of a packed media conference, announces his latest product release and reveals it in some manner. Out of an envelope of from his pocket, the presentation of said product is always met with resounding applause.

Yep, that’s what is happens, the worlds media come to the release of a new product and immediately, on the products first glimpse, randomly snap into fits of cheers and clapping.

Perception is a powerful thing, especially for Joe Public. My perception is that Apple are a crafty bunch of marketers who release average products. Obviously the “press conference’ is just a group meeting for company staff dressed up to be perceived in a media grab as a ‘press conference’ release. Microsoft have tried this approach before as well, except someone kept putting failing products in the hands of Sir Gates allowing for hilarity to ensue.

Well here we are, Origin 2 is on us and the Queenslanders have a huge battle on their hands. As a Queenslander I have several concerns being as follows.

Cameron Smith was dominated like a bitch. The Queenslanders are crying foul over the tactics of the NSW markers but I think we can expect the same thing from Bellamy’s men.

Jonathon Thurston didn’t really have much in attack, probably due a lack of go forward from our pack, but he will need to improve his game dramatically for us to have a chance. His kicking game will also need some improvement.

I am not sure about Darius Boyd on the wing but he has been picked so he better be ready.

Greg Inglis scored a pretty impressive try but I think he is over-rated to the max. Surely he should be able to do more than throw a ball backwards over his head, break a tackle, throw a step-dummy-through or put something into a gap but do SOMETHING!!

Dallas Johnson got knocked out as per normal and I don’t remember much else from him during game one. His opposite Paul Gallen is a very solid player so he is gonna have to do something special to get on top here.

The whinge, please oh please stop whinging Qld. It embarrasses me as a Queenslander and it annoys me that NSW think we are the kings of it. Mal Maninga is having a bigger cry than The whinge has and always will be NSW’s claim to fame.

It cruels me to say but the underdog status given to the Blues concerns me in a major way. It is enough for me to start yet another 16 leg all up million dollar challenge on them. So here we go $16 @ $2.20 for a return of $35.20.

Get on something!!

Dell was back and gone just as quickly. You can build yourself up as much as you like but a quick crack to the jaw can end all your dreams.

Stradbroke gone again, I am still to ever back a winner in this great race. Black Ink came round the bend and led well but started paddling about 300 from home. Good win for Mr Baritone, I must admit I never even looked at its form…. maybe next year.

Matt Hughes lost at UFC 85. A little disappointing to me as a huge Hughes fan but you can’t stop father time. He spruiked a fight with Matt Sera is still on the cards so we can all hope these to blokes can finally sort out there huge problem with each other.

Kimi Raikonen was taken out by that dirty rotten cheat Lewis Hamilton. A worse cheat I have not seen since Ayrton Senna graced the scene. Did anyone see this GP, me and 2 other mates tried to record this GP and were unsuccessful, can anyone explain this?

I noticed the odds for the Moto GP of spain were Casey Stoner $1.19, Valentino Rossey $1.40, Danny Pedrosa $1.70 and some other niff at $1.90. Gee thanks TAB, never were you more generous with your odds. Congrats to Pedrosa on a great upset win.

The Socceroos lost in a major way on the weekend. Everyone is saying its not the goalies fault, leave him alone, it’s the teams fault not just the goalie. As a former goalie let me say this, its not the teams fault at all, it was all goalie. What sort of half arsed piece of crap goalie is this guy, worst play I have seen in all my time watching Australian sport. If only this country would show some passion and burn his effigy!!!

I need your help, please advise you most solid favourite I can putt $300 dollars on this week. I risk an effigy burning if I stuff this up…

I look forward with anticipation to another game of footy tonight. Big Wendell Sailor, former Brisbane Bronco, Oxley Gold Club member, Qld Red, Waratah, Wallaby, Shell Harbour Shark and druggo is back in the greatest game of all at the top level as a Dragon.

Rather appropriate really, the same nose that got him into trouble is now expected to brandish fire against his former club and teamates.

I see odds for him to score a try are about $1.60 and to not score are $2.30….. hmmm odds above two dollars always garner interest from this mug.

Can big Dell breathe fire and scorch the Broncos hide’s or will he puff the tragic dragon and add absolutely nothing, other than some talk?

You are going to hate yourself over this. It scores automatically too. Make sure you give consideration to your answer or my score of 9 out of 11 will make you look like a loser rest assured.

Do the test here

Luckily a good suggestion from a reader has lead to a great discussion topic these are always welcome at notasmartman.com

This is a fair and valid topic. The following is the list of entrants and their relevant sports bet codes.

37779 CASINO PRINCE $5.00 $2.00
37684 EL CAMBIO $6.00 $2.25
37733 MURTAJILL $9.00 $3.00
37775 VORMISTA $9.00 $3.00
37762 SWICK $10.00 $3.25
37662 ATAPI $11.00 $3.50
37680 DIPLOMATIC FORCE $13.00 $4.00
37681 DOUBLE DARE $13.00 $4.00
37673 CHINCHILLA ROSE $15.00 $4.50
37702 HELIDECK $15.00 $4.50
37742 PINNACLES $15.00 $4.50
37756 SNIPERS BULLET $15.00 $4.50
37773 TURFFONTEIN $17.00 $5.00
37651 ABSOLUT GLAM $21.00 $6.00
37763 SWISS ACE $21.00 $6.00
37665 BLACK INK $41.00 $11.00
37697 GERMAN CHOCOLATE $41.00 $11.00
37777 WOODY N BUZZ $41.00 $11.00
37695 FRITZS PRINCESS $51.00 $13.50
37709 JUSTE MOMENTE $51.00 $13.50
37658 ANTIDOTES $61.00 $16.00
37729 MR BARITONE $61.00 $16.00
37653 ACEY DUCEY $81.00 $21.00
37700 HARD TO CATCH $81.00 $21.00
37725 MITANNI $81.00 $21.00
37736 OMNITRADER $81.00 $21.00
37749 ROMAN SQUIRE $81.00 $21.00
37706 ICE CHARIOT $101.00 $26.00
37746 RAPID JACKO $101.00 $26.00
37660 ARCHIE SENIOR $126.00 $32.25
37683 EASY ROCKER $126.00 $32.25
37739 PAY ME $151.00 $38.50
37757 SNORT $151.00 $38.50

I personally can’t see why Black Ink won’t finally be the prom queen. It is time for the ink to shine…

What are your thoughts?

Do you have something special lined up?

Talk to SJ talk to hiiiimmmmmme

Just a quick one, how in the hell does Jarod Hayne’s tackle rate as a lower grade than Justin Hodges tackle? Both were poor form don’t get me wrong but if you watch them side by side I cant honestly see how Haynes tackle gets off with a lighter grading…. That’s just me. Do you blokes have an opinion?

If Hayne gets off and Hodges (who has already pleaded guilty and is suspended) is not allowed to play then I think it will just be another case of high end NSW supporters trying to win the game at a board level.

This will not be tolerated I will give you a tip!