Well guys, it’s obviously pretty quiet out there at the moment.
I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish all our readers and contributors a very merry Christmas and all the best for the new year. Thanks to all for your unwavering support over the course of another long year.
We look forward to bringing you the best news, views, opinions and inside info as we can, both from the Sharks camp and the wider rugby world in 2010. I’ll still be checking in and posting the odd story over the next few days, but we’ll be back in full swing again in January, when the Sharks (and other teams) resume their training.
God bless and travel safely.
Cheers
Rob
Tweet
Same from me, Happy Holidays everyone!
Merry merry everyone.
Cheers Ears
To Rob and the team great job and well done with all your hard work, to the fellow members, its been fun and hope you all have a great Christmas and a prosperous new year.
All the best
Whindy
Thanks Rob for providing such an interesting platform for us all to air our views, as contentious or opposing as they may be.
Enjoy your break!
Baldy!
And from me
May you all have a peaceful and blessed Xmas and prosperous, eventfull and happy 2010 (GO SHARKS !!!)
Thank you for many good moments and in general sharing rugby thoughtsand views (often very different
) and particular thanx to Rob for running the show.
Thanks Rob and everyone else, it’s been a long tough year and here’s hoping for better things in 2010. Best wishes to everyone
BTW – it is indeed quiet, looking at the posts – 8hours or 2 days ago
@rekinek (Comment 8) : hmmm….
@robdylan (Comment 9) : ahhhhhaaaaaa
@rekinek (Comment 10) : yaaaaaarrr
@robdylan (Comment 11) : eeeehhhhhhhhhh
could we be guilty of artificially inflating the comments number
happy happy to Tintin & StretchB
@rekinek (Comment 12) : only if we decide it’s a crime
@robdylan (Comment 14) : let’s decide not .
then :
wwwwwoooooohh
@rekinek (Comment 15) : waaaaaaah
Gotta admit, I`m seriously suffering from rugby withdraw symtoms here, can`t believe it`s more than a month and a half to go still . . .
@robdylan (Comment 16) : ooooooppppps
@Original Pierre (Comment 17) : don’t you just find yourself strangly drawn to heineken cup or other sorts of northern hemisphere rugby at this time.
Merry X-mas, happy new year to each and everyone, may 2010 be a successful one. Ho! Ho! Ho!
@rekinek (Comment 19) : that’s happened to me for the first time this year. Wishing I hadn’t cancelled Sky Sports
@robdylan (Comment 21) : You cancelled Sky Sport
So how are you going to watch S14 
We have a new channel HD Sport – total of HD channels on dstv now is 3
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year to all! May the new year bring health and happiness to you and yours. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a white Xmas around here, will be nice this year…..Time to go out and build a snowman!
@Dancing Bear (Comment 23) : My last white Xmas was 8 years ago
went to visit family few years back and got into the warmest xmas in a decade – that was bit disappointing.
@rekinek (Comment 24) : It’s actually pretty rare around here to have snow on the ground on Xmas, but with 23 inches of snow on Saturday, and temps not getting much above freezing, we will have snow on the ground this year. Too bad nobody around here seems to be able to drive in snow!
I remember the Christmas beetles in Durban when I was a kid. Here they are called June bugs
@Dancing Bear (Comment 25) : could this constitute an excuse against going to work
@rekinek (Comment 27) : It was an excuse yesterday. Even the Federal Government offices in Washington DC were closed yesterday. Unfortunately that meant more idiots driving around the streets of Annapolis.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 28) : and wiki shows that main street not that wide
@Dancing Bear (Comment 28) : so when the Federal Government offices are closed, there are significantly more idiots on the streets? Sounds about right
@rekinek (Comment 22) : watching online is cheaper and at least that way you’re guaranteed to get all the games
@robdylan (Comment 30) :
@robdylan (Comment 31) : so i guess if you really want you can get Heineken Cup games as well.
I have not tried internet yet – must admit.
@rekinek (Comment 32) : yes. That thought occurred to me as well
Don’t know about white Xmas’s much, but I’m having a Black and White one this year
Getting more Sharks gear. maXed out
@JustPlainSHARK (Comment 34) : that’s setting a very good example
@robdylan (Comment 33) : hmm – did you sit down quietly in a corner and waited for this scary thought to pass
@JustPlainSHARK (Comment 34) : BTW is this a poor little sharky that you hold whilst wearing a blue shirt
hmmm – it looks like you really need the gear.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
We will have a white Christmas here too and I am surviving the rugby withdrawls w/ Setanta although they aren’t a 100% answer as they tend to show more soccer than rugby.
If only rugbyzone showed Hcup and Top14 as well, I’d renew my subscription there in a heartbeat.
@rekinek (Comment 29) :
no excuses either, not like they have to move the snow very far, just to the water front and into the water. Main Street was never all that wide, Annapolis is a Colonial town, Main Street is the same width it was in the 18th century. Cool that you found the downtown camera, I’ll let you know next time I am there and wave to you. 
@robdylan (Comment 30) : I see that impression of Government employees and civil servants is a universal concept.
I’d like to make it easy on you Rob, but most businesses in the Washington DC area follow the Federal lead when it comes to shutting down their offices, so a vast majority of the offices in the area were closed too. Since most of the private business around here is in the IT field (like yourself 
) yes, you are 100% correct, there are significantly more idiots on the road. 
@Dancing Bear (Comment 39) : guess I deserved that
Merry Christmas to All. Travel safe! Rob, thanks again for the Santa support, did the deliveries yesterday and the responses were incredible.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 38) : i didn’t just checked photos on wikipedia and town website ( very nice BTW). Tried to find this cam this morning (I mean our morning) – but sofar only traffic cameras (it’s nice and quiet
).
.
will let you know once i managed to find it though
@billy (Comment 41) : glad to hear it, Billy! You know we love to help out a good cause.
@robdylan (Comment 43) : I do that! Take care.
@rekinek (Comment 42) : hehehe, right now Annapolis is quite the Xmas card. Here is one webcam from the top of the waterfront Marriott. No street scenes but a good overview of the Annapolis skyline:
http://www.annapolismarriott.com/webcam/Webcam.cfm
Here is one of our city dock, I can wave to you from this one
http://www.annapolis.com/cam/citydock.php
And one more of the city dock, closer up:
http://www.webcams.travel/webcam/1206553747-Weather-Annapolis-Annapolis
@robdylan (Comment 40) : All in the holiday spirit my friend. One of my wishes for 2010, I will be in England in September for two weeks (Laser World Championships in Heyling Island). So I hope to either see you then or that you might travel here again in 2010. Actually September may be a great time to meet more of the Sharksworld England based bloggers. Maybe a premiership match or something.
@rekinek (Comment 36) : Yep, it’s a hammerhead shark. And NO the shirt was the colours of a social club called The Prodical Sons. And the club logo was a shark
We were one Province fan, one Sharks fan (me) and four Bulls fans. Guess they decided on the colours. PS I come from Jozi.
and finally …. I’m oficially on HOLIDAYS – YEY
It feels a bit like pigeon age – you write one day and get the response the next
@Dancing Bear (Comment 45) : checked the first two webcams, struggling a bit with the third one, but will get it to work (eventually) .
I don’t know whether it is the positioning of these webcams but one gets an idea that this town is yachting crazy
@JustPlainSHARK (Comment 47) : Me too
I mean I live there.
I guess since you got the logo they must have insisted on the shirt colour at least
A diving social club?
Happy Happy Festive Season to Everybody !!!
@rekinek (Comment 50) : hehehe and it is the dead of winter now here, 80% of the boats are not even in the water, you should see it in the summer time.
Merry Christmas, friendly friends!
Merry Christmas everyone!!! Have a good one!!
Merry Christmas to all, keep it safe and simple.
To all my Sharkie “Boys & Girls”…have a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year….from your “Mama Shark”
@Dancing Bear (Comment 53) : will keep an eye on it.
BTW – found your blog
I am becoming a bit of a stalker – Rob would be proud 
@rekinek (Comment 58) : Hello there Rekinek, I am back on line, temporarily, as the nazis at work have taken away Internet access to us plebs, but hubby is manager so lent me his password, but will probably change it tomorrow
Been trying to log on from cell phone, but my phone is rubbish and it times out, so am going to acquire a blackberry soon!
I have got my season tickets, and my new Sharks outfit for the Season, including underwear and socks! now its just up to the Sharks to win the S14
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 59) : Hello
glad to see somebody’s on line – it’s been very quiet.
I’m still at home this week
try to get an i-phone – apparently great for internet – lots of people I know love it.
My Sharks diary arrived this morning – I only ordered last week so am very chuffed.
@rekinek (Comment 60) : That was quick!!!
I have never seen a i-phone will got to the mall this afternoon to see what the cost – I have been going through the most terrible withdrawl symptoms without being able to blog!
There are now only 42 sleeps till kick off!!! THe blog should start picking up again after next week
Hi guys, I watched the Touch Rugby at Diaz Beach today. Rob Louw had an invitational team playing against the winners of todays leg (Rob is apparently still in USA). Team consisted of Brussow, Vlok, Braam v Straaten, Morgan Newman, Joe Pieterson, Robert Ebersohn, Sarel Pretorius and YES Louis Ludik. He played with a heavy knee brace on his right knee, but appeared to have no real hassles with his knee. He was on the field more often due to the presence of the two oupa’s (Vlok and Braam)
He still has 6 weeks till kick off, so hope he will be available……if he is going to be with the Sharks I might add. Damn, its lonely here (on the blog)
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 61) : ya, it was – considering all the public holidays in between.
41 sleeps now
greetings from Wales
@robdylan (Comment 64) :
Greetings Oom!
I’m so bored that I’ve lowered my standards by checking out Voldy!!
Damn but that site has gone to the dogs…
@wpw (Comment 65) : so it’s actually improved then?
@robdylan (Comment 64) :
Are you researching a gay rugby related story, Wales seems the place to be for such matters.
I blame Little Britain.
@wpw (Comment 65) : @robdylan (Comment 66) :
Me too,
@Salmonoid (Comment 67) :
Who woulda thunk it?
one of the French or Oz guys, no surprise. But big Gareth Thomas?
@Big Fish (Comment 69) :
Next stop Stade Francais for Rob.
I wonder if he has found Daffyd yet.
Hi there! I’m sitting at work and decided to check up on SW…glad to see there are still some around
Was not bored until the cricket ended…what’s up with the Proteas???@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 61) :
Hope you get back on line soon
@Big Fish (Comment 69) :
Yeah, usually the last one you expect…the best looking guy @ Varsity was gay….when we found out, there were quite a few red faces, among the girls who had tried to get him to date them
@Me2 aka Mama Shark (Comment 71) :
i also started watching cricket but got bored very quickly
To any wayward person that may wander upon this site…….. HAPPY NEW YEAR, Be careful, be good, and dont drink and drive.
@Salmonoid (Comment 73) : amen to that! I’ll be back at my editor’s desk on the second to crank this baby up again. Happy New Year, all!
happy happy
First, I want to thank Rob for providing us a little place on the web where we can share our passion and views about the Sharks and Boks in 2009. Second, I want to thank each and every one of my fellow bloggers for your friendship and incredibly valuable input that each provides on a very regular basis. Living in the Western Hemisphere, it is difficult to say the least, to keep up with rugby world wide, and certainly very difficult to keep up with my favourite teams. This site and each one of you allows me to be a passionate and informed supporter.
For 2010, we sometimes forget how lucky we are as Sharks supporters. It really has been a long time since we started a season without high expectations. Each year, we have a legitimate shot at winning both the Super 14 and Currie Cup. This year as always looks rosy, with a little help from Lady Luck, we should be celebrating a great year 365 days from now.
Happy new year and all the very best to everyone for 2010! Be well!
Happy new year everybody, hope for a great 2010 for everybody, looking forward to some serious rugby again, here’s hoping for the best.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 76) : For 2010, we sometimes forget how lucky we are as Sharks supporters. It really has been a long time since we started a season without high expectations
I couldn’t agree more. And aside from the Bulls who also go into each competition with a realistic opportunity to do well, how many other teams have the same feelings of optimism?
Certainly not the Reds, Force, Cheetahs, Province??, Lions, Highlanders?
Tough draw in 2010, but the Bulls had the 5 week overseas tour in 2007 and 2009 and won both. Not in insurmountable hurdle!
@Baldrick (Comment 78) : I’m not optimistic about the 2010 season. Sorry, I’d really like to be, but I don’t see enough real change in the squad. Sure, it’s nice to (allegedly) have Alberts to add loose forward depth, but we still have no flyhalves.
@robdylan (Comment 79) : argie?
@rekinek (Comment 80) : and after him?
@robdylan (Comment 81) : if I were to make predictions based on Sharks FL habits – johny wilkinson ?
@rekinek (Comment 82) : what a disaster that would be!
@robdylan (Comment 83) : hmmm… being prone to injuries he may be off for such a long time that the management will have no choice but develop a back up
@rekinek (Comment 84) : yeah. It just might work
Happy New Year all my fellow Bloggers
Sad to be back at work though especially when my daughter started crying when I left for work this morning
@Pokkel (Rugby’s over, back to fishing) (Comment 86) : yip lazying around was a bit better
i’m back working as well
Good Morning, Good Year!!!
Wishing you all a fabulous 2010!!!
(You see, if ROB gave me my “executive” right already…I would have posted this on a “HAPPY NEW YEAR” thread…
Back at the saltmines myself, it was horrible getting up this morning and the rest of my household still fast asleep in the lovely rainy weather..
Happy New Year peoples
@provincejoulekkading (Comment 89) :
I have a avatar that needs “reviewing”..
@One-eyed Ice (Sailing the seas of 2010 with the Sharks) (Comment 90) : Let me go and review my emails
@provincejoulekkading (Comment 91) :
Thank you sir!
@One-eyed Ice (Sailing the seas of 2010 with the Sharks) (Comment 92) : No madam,nothing that I can see
@provincejoulekkading (Comment 93) :
Ctrl F5 worked for me..