Sayings From Boxing

I don't like the sport but it has produced a host of sayings used in English. Here are some of them.

Below the belt: Unfair or unsporting. 

Beat (someone) to the punch: Get in first.

On the ropes: In serious trouble.

Blow by blow: A detailed account.

Down for the count: Defeated. 

Keep one's guard up: Watchful.

Ringside seat: A good view.

Throw in the towel: To give up.

Come out swinging: Attack aggressively.

Deliver a knock out punch: Win decisively.

Saved by the bell: Escaping a bad outcome in the last minute.

Roll with the punches: Coping successfully with difficulties.

Sucker punch: Something you didn't see coming. 

Take it on the chin: Bravely accepting negative things.

Toe to toe: Confrontation without backing down.

The gloves are off: Not holding back in attack.

Someone in your corner: A support there for you.

Where Did These Things Come From?

See if you can identify who originated these.

Traitor: One who betrays a friend or belief. It describes someone who violates a fundamental trust or allegiance. 

Application: The one who went against his loving Maker and became a rebel. 

Influencer: Due to perceived authority, they hold the power to influence the opinions and behavior of others.

Application: Convinced one of the first two humans that joining the rebellion was beneficial.

Fake News: False or misleading information presented as legitimate, intentionally created to deceive others for personal gain. 

Application: The promise of a better life for the listener proved to be quite the opposite. So too, the assurance that death would not result. This fake news only benefited the one behind it. 

Summary: Today, the same deceptions are coming from that first traitor and people are still being deceived. It's being done subtly and for many, imperceptibly. Why change a successful strategy? But do we have to be deceived? 

Did you work out who was the originator of these things? Not too hard a quiz, but the import is worth reflecting on. 

Note: Influencers today may or may not be beneficial. 

Corny or Funny

My wife gave me a gale warning. I thought we got on with Gale. 

My wife came back from a conference having given a talk in a large auditorium, saying she hated mics. I wonder what upset her as she works with two Mikes.

We were camping in a tent and my wife heard someone outside in the trees. She even guessed their name! She said "Did you hear a rustle?"

My wife had a second man named Bill who joined the company. It seems to be bothering her because as she was going through the mail recently, she was muttering "Not another bill".

There is a mean kid in our street named Oscar that no one likes. My wife was telling off our teenage daughter for being dramatic. She said "You deserve an Oscar". 

Our neighbour's name is Blair. I know because he was playing loud music and my wife said I'm sick of that blare.

The Hunt: Prey vs Predator

A new TV Series The Hunt: Prey vs Predator was run by Channel 4 in the UK. It was shown on NZ television by TV One and available on demand. I like The Traitors and it had some similarities so decided to give it a go. At first I felt frustrated as fast runners had a distinct advantage. However, I persisted and enjoyed it more as it progressed. 

An unnecessary negative for me is the producers didn't bleep out swearing. It wasn't outrageous but enough to make me consider giving up. Otherwise it's worth a watch. It didn't have the budget of The Traitors but that didn't worry me. 

Apparently there won't be another one as it didn't generate the viewer numbers hoped for in the UK. Maybe many people didn't know about it. I only stumbled upon it after several episodes in. The way of deciding who ultimately won was interesting. 

Musings

A look can say more than words.

Humility is not a weakness but a strength that is well worth mastering. 

Saving isn't about how much you earn, but what you don't spend.

Empathetic listening requires more than just hearing what is said; it also involves feeling what is said. 

We can be so impatient to arrive at a destination that we fail to enjoy the journey.

Tolerance isn't agreeing, but rather accepting someone else's right to think and act differently.

Never underestimate hope. It helps us cope with trials and uncertainty with positivity.

A plan only becomes useful when it's executed sucessfully.

It's one thing to be self-confident but quite another to be egotistical. A line not to be crossed. 

Getting angry is a reaction. Remaining angry is a choice.

Double Meanings

A food critic didn't like the fried fish at a local restaurant. She panned it. 

I don't like laying on the bed. I just feel so flat.

Our neighbour's cat randomly came running into our house and tripped me up. I was floored. 

We bought a wildcat skin rug for our lounge. I now have something to lie on. 

A group of us went to a traditional Chinese Restaurant. No one offered to pay, so I had to fork out.

Our first course at a French restaurant was served on tray. 

I enjoy having a TV dinner listening to the radio.

Two female inpersonators went to a racetrack to participate. They had a drag race. 

I climbed to the top of a mountain and I'm scared of heights but I couldn't resist a peek.

Dark Chocolate

For those who have preferred milk chocolate but have converted to dark chocolate (which is best as 70% or more of cocoa), welcome to the dark side. For others, I encourage you to develop a taste for it. Once you know the benefits, that should me motivation enough. 

Overview:

1) It has high levels of antioxidants. In moderation (as always) it can lower blood pressure, improve cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation and even boost brain function. 

2) It is a source of fiber and essential minerals such as iron, magnesium and copper. 

Detail:

Improves the blood flow, lowers blood pressure and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Abundant flavanols protect cells from damage and oxidative damage. It can increase good HDL cholesterol while reducing bad LDL cholesterol. It improves blood flow to the brain, assisting cognitive function, memory, and our mood. Regarding nutrients, it contains fiber, iron, magnesium and copper. The fiber and nutrient density can help you feel full longer, reducing cravings. 

Caution:

High consumption can lead to weight gain. It contains caffeine which can have negative side effects for those with sensitivity to it. Even dark chocolate will still contain sugar and saturated fat, so moderation (as I said earlier) is important.

Recommendation: Enjoy.

No-Nos to Say to a Sports Official

Things it would be unwise for players to say to a referee:

Specsavers has a good deal on.

Which of their players is your relative?

I know where you live.

When do we get our share of the 50/50 calls?

You're missing a great game, our one.

I don't know what we've done to upset you. 

Could I loan you my rule book?

Summary: Show respect to the match official. 

So Obvious

Marrying a beautiful woman has a nice ring to it. 

If you work in sewage and it all goes wrong, there's always a stink. 

A very sharp knife is always made with cutting edge technology.

Never eat chicken if it smells foul.

The butcher sold me some tough meat, and I'm still stewing over it. 

I was dancing alone and then someone reminded me that it takes two to tango.

A Still Mower

Love

Love is a gift, one that brings happiness. What are aspects of love that will enhance happiness?

Coming to know and love you Maker is the most important love. (Matt 22:37)

Caring love should extend even to a stranger. 

(Luke 10:30-35)

True love is selfless. (1 Cor 10:24)

Real love isn't about receiving, it's about giving. (Acts 20:35)

Genuine love is felt inside and shown by actions. (Mark 1:40-42)

Hopeful love motivates us to be kind to those who dislike or even hate us (Matt 5:44)

My Traitors TV Series History

For a couple who eschew reality TV shows, why we got into The Traitors I have no idea. Nineteen editions have been perused by us so far. More would have been viewed but not all are available or translated. 

Below is a chart showing the nineteen we've watched. The Faithfuls have won 42% with an average of 2.6 people sharing the spoils. The Trators have won 56% with a 1.4 persons taking home the loot.

Now the locations of what has been watched. I can't even remember all of the series now. One point of interest is Australia Season 2, when three traitors won and which is very unusual. Even more so is that none of them took home the money. So they won the show but didn't get the monetary reward.

The Traitors US Season 4

The fourth season of US Traitors had its usual celeb cast. I believe they may actually do a 'normal' persons one soon. Yay. Let's now look briefly at the latest edition. (Spoiler alert)

It was won by Rob, who was a good traitor with a dead pan face even in adversity. He wisely got rid of two female traitors early without raising suspicion. Then recruiting Eric, the two worked well together, covering each other's backs. 

The Faithfuls unravelled as they failed to foster any unity. A bad mistake was made by Tara, when taking out Natalie after they promised to vote together. This act swung the odds towards the traitors. 

Tara and close friend Johny worked out correctly who the two traitors were and needed to get Maura on side to get a 3 to 2 vote and banish them, one by one. Maura agreed, but then flipped and voted with the traitors to banish Johnny. Game over Faithfuls. 

Tara still wanted to work with ditsy Maura. Fat chance as she turned on Tara at the next vote. Maura then told Rob she wanted Eric out and Rob saw his chance to take all the money. In an unnecessary act of greed, turncoat Rob rounded on Eric and with Maura's vote guaranteed, got rid of his Traitor partner. 

Maura was convinced she would share the prize. In the most satisfying moment in Season 4, Maura was floored to find she had allowed herself to be played by Rob. Maura often said she wondered how she got that far. Simple. She was useless as a faithful but most valuable to the traitors.

I want to see the Faithful win but when they are unable to work together cohesively, their winning would be unfair. Rob played a better game than the Faithfuls and deserved to win. That said, the way he cut out Eric was a cheap shot. 

Metaphors?

Library books are on borrowed time.

Alpine snow is on slippery ground.

In springtime, skaters are on thin ice. 

The undertaker was buried under his workload.

Crochet knitters get hooked.

Dieting is never a piece of cake. 

Soccer players have a ball.

My grater has gone somewhere. 

The crafty dairy farmer was known for milking it. 

The haberdashery store needed stocking. 

The dentist was known for giving his patients the needle.

Feathers tickle my fancy.

The customer got a shock from the power bill.

The homeless man fell into a quarry and hit rock bottom.

Animals Are 'Fine'

If you want to define animal groups, how many do you know? There is obviously a finite number, but I'm not sure if the list below is final. For now at least, I have confined them to what is seen below. I think the list is ultrafine. How many have you heard of?

Asinine: Donkeys or asses 

Cervine: Deer 

Corvine: Crows or ravens 

Delphine: Dolphins 

Elephantine: Elephants 

Equine: Horse

Caprine: Goats 

Leonine: Lions 

Leporine: Rabbits or hares 

Lupine: Wolves 

Murine: Mice, rats, or rodents 

Ophidian (Serpentine): Snakes 

Piscine: Fish 

Sciurine: Squirrels 

Ursine: Bears 

Vulpine: Foxes

There were some I'd never heard of. 

If you can add ot the list, I'll refine it. 

So Who Would You Ask Out?

At different times, I put a scenario to two young, single men. It goes as follows. 

You are wishing to marry a young lady and there are two that you are considering asking out.

One is not particularly good looking. She thinks she would be the luckiest girl in the world to be married to you.

The other is very beautiful. She thinks you would be the luckiest guy in the world if she agreed to marry you. 

Who would you choose? How did they answer? 

After a brief reflection, they both said they didn't know. I pressed for at least a possible preference but still no commitment. 

I can understand why as each scenario had a positive and a negative aspect. I would have said neither. Someone you don't find attractive isn't going to touch your romantic side yet another being perhaps somewhat conceited isn't an option that would appeal to me. 

Finding a balance between the two would be far more preferable. Or get to know the less pretty one well enough to fall for her lovely personality.

Please note the pictures are AI generated, not real.

Handling A Situation

People are very different and how they handle situations can vary greatly. Sometimes, our reaction may be judged as cold and uncaring. At other times too soft and too tactful. 

The situations below aren't scored, and any judgment you do make is over to you. 

Someone tells you a joke you have often heard before, hence it's no longer funny.

Do you

1) Without a smile, tell them you have heard it before.

2) Ignore it or change the subject.

3) Act like you think it was funny and tell them that it's a good joke.

Someone starts telling you some disparaging gossip about another person.

Do you

1) Widen your eyes and gleefully listen attentively.

2) Listen reluctantly.

3) Tell them immediately to stop or, as soon as possible, change the subject.

You play a game like chess with someone and realise they are not good at it.

Do you

1) Tell them they're not very good and won't be playing them again.

2) Suggest another game you could play together next time.

3) Keep playing with them, offering tips and even allowing them occasionally to take back moves.