The Star Entertainment Group | The Star - The Star, Sydney

I went to Boston for the first time in a few years and got the chance to visit family and friends. I spent 10 days in the area and got the chance to immerse myself in the city.
Weekend 1 Pics: https://www.flickr.com/gp/158149703@N04/5n5HDu
Monday Pics: https://www.flickr.com/gp/158149703@N04/yzKR35
Tuesday Pics: https://www.flickr.com/gp/158149703@N04/44E7x2
Wednesday Pics: https://www.flickr.com/gp/158149703@N04/2rwX3x
Thursday Pics: https://www.flickr.com/gp/158149703@N04/Lq59F0
Friday Pics: https://www.flickr.com/gp/158149703@N04/5BR296
Weekend 2 Pics: https://www.flickr.com/gp/158149703@N04/99Zx6i
​
Boston is a coastal flagship city which is one of the oldest cities in the country. The history carries on to this day and as the 10th largest metropolitan area in the country it leads the nation (and world) in education, healthcare, public transportation, and athletics. There is a distinct culture around the city, a substantial depth of fine arts and a defining resilience that makes Boston unique. While the area is very populated it does feel extremely close knit, there is no wonder why it is called ‘The Town.’
When I visit places I like to do what I call a ‘total immersion,’ where I become a local as best as possible and see and do things from all walks of life. I experienced delays on the T, crazy drivers on the Mass Pike, experienced the opening of the Ballet and felt the energy of an evening game at Fenway. I climbed up many hills from Savin Hill, Bunker Hill, Telegraph Hill, Prospect Hill, Corey Hill and many others. I went to farmers markets, grocery stores and local neighborhood eats. I visited libraries, parks and countless universities. I took a variety of transit trips on foot, bike, bus, ferry and rail. I took in the skyline from all angles near and far, from the seaport to South Boston and beyond to the Noanet Woodlands. I did my best to get a clear picture of all facets of life in Beantown.
In the 3 days I had a BlueBike I rode 92 miles utilizing 36 stations. I rode on all 5 major T lines: Blue, Green (B,C,D,E) Orange, Red (Ashmont, Braintree), Silver (SL4) and utilized 30 stations.
I visited 41 different parks, from small urban gardens to large forests with lush views.
Boston is a city that feels extremely vibrant and academic but at the same time it can be quite blue collar, it just depends on where you go. From the youthful energy of Cambridge to the more mature and laid back Brookline, from the ritzy Back Bay to the gritty winding streets of Roxbury... Boston carries on with confidence, for this is Titletown a city core to the formation of our country. This is where our founding fathers made history, this is where English civilization came to fruition in North America.
I had an incredible time in Boston, it is a truly wonderful city and up there with the finest in the world. It is a large, open and welcoming community with a small town at heart. Thank you Boston for the great experiences I will always have the city on my mind.
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Raves
-Tons of vibrancy in the core city, lots of pedestrians and cyclists
-Universites
-Hospitals and medical institutions
-Parks with great views and variety of landscapes
-Arts institutions, public libraries
-BlueBike system, tons of stations with bikes in good condition and $10 day pass
-Fenway park, an absolute treasure and finest ballpark in baseball with the best ushers and staff
-Cheap and convenient public transit system, week unlimited pass is a deal
-Tons of history throughout the city and surrounding areas
Rants
-Vibrancy goes down significantly after hours, not much open at night past 9pm
-Massholes
-Old and slow trolley and subway system
-Road network makes no sense whatsoever
​
Blue Bike Stations Used:
30 Dane St
Alewife MBTA at Steel Place
Ball Sq
Beacon Street & David G Mugar Way
Beacon Street & Massachusetts Avenue
Broadway T Stop
Cambridge Main Library at Broadway / Trowbridge St
Central Square Post Office Bluebikes Stations
Centre Street & Seaverns Avenue
Chinatown T Stop
Columbia Rd at Tierney Community Center
Dartmouth Street & Boylston Street
Franklin Park - Seaver St. at Humbolt Ave
Green Street T Bluebikes Station
Harrison Avenue & Bennet Street
Harvard Square at Mass Ave/ Dunster
Hayes Square - Vine St at Moulton St
Hyde Square - Barbara St at Centre St
ID Building East
ID Building West
Ink Block - Harrison Ave at Herald St
Jackson Square Bluebikes Station
JFK/UMass T Stop
Kennedy-Longfellow School 158 Spring St
Main St at Thompson Sq
MIT at Mass Ave / Amherst St
One Broadway
Roslindale Village - Washington St
S Huntington Ave at Heath St
Savin Hill T Stop - S Sydney St at Bay St
Stony Brook T Stop
Stuart St at Charles St
Union Square - Somerville
University of Massachusetts Boston - Campus Center
Upham's Corner T Stop - Magnolia St at Dudley St
Wentworth Institute of Technology - Huntington Ave at Vancouver St
​
MBTA Stations Utilized:
Airport
Alewife
Aquarium
Back Bay Station
Boston Univ. East
Broadway
Chestnut HIll
Chinatown
Cleveland Circle
Copley
Downtown Crossing
Dudley Square Government Center
Green Street
Harvard
Harvard Avenue
Haymarket Station
Jackson Square
JFK / UMass
Kenmore
Longwood
Massachusetts Ave
Museum of Fine Arts
North Station
Quincy Center
Ruggles
Stony Brook
Summit Avenue
Symphony Station
Wellington
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Eateries:
Bazaar on Cambridge
City Feed and Supply
Courthouse Seafood
Dunkin (original location)
Exodus Bagels
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Finagle A Bagel
Gene’s Chinese Flatbread Cafe
J.P. Licks (original location)
Joe’s Famous Steak Subs
JP Whole Foods Market
Kupel’s Bakery
Market Basket
South End Whole Foods Market
Sweet Rice JP Thai Sushi
Tasty Burger (original location)
Trader Joe’s Back Bay
Trillium Brewing Company
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Parks:
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge
Back Bay Fens
Berkeley Community Garden
Blackstone Square
Boston Common
Boston National HIstorical Park
Boston Public Garden
Bunker HIll Monument
Castle Island
Channel Park
Chester Park
Copley Square
Corey HIll Overlook Park
Dorchester Heights
Dorchester Shores Reservation
East Boston Greenway
Fan Pier Park
Forest Hills Cemetery
Franklin Park
Franklin Square
Harriet Tubman Memorial
Jamaica Pond
Larz Anderson Park
LoPresti Park
Louisburg Square
M Street Beach
Malibu Beach
Millennium Park
Noanet Woodlands
North Point Park
Olmsted Park
Paul Revere Park
Peters Park
Prospect Hill Park
Reservoir Walking Trail (Weston Reservoir)
Riverbend Park
Savin HIll Park
Seven Hills Park
Thomas J Butler Memorial Park
Titus Sparrow Park
​
Attractions:
Boston City Hall
Boston College
Boston Opera House
Boston Public Library
Boston Symphony Hall
Boston University Bridge
Cambridge Public Library
Chinatown Gate
Coolidge Corner Farmers Market
Copley Place
Copp’s Hill Burying Ground
Drydock Center
Dugout Cafe
Encore Boston Harbor
Fenway Park
Gillette World Shaving Headquarters
Hancock Cemetery
Harvard Bridge
Harvard Business School
Harvard Stadium
Harvard Yard
Honan-Allston Branch of the Boston Public Library
John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site
John W. Weeks Footbridge
Long Wharf (South)
Longwood Medical and Academic Area
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts State House
Medford Square
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Northeastern University
Paul Revere Statue
Samuel Adams Boston Brewery
Seaport World Trade Center
Shirley-Eustis House
Skywalk Obervatory
Sowa OPen Market
The James Blake House 1661
The Old House at Peace Field- Adams National Historical Park
Thomas Crane Public Library
Tuft University
​
Detail Notes:
​
Thursday
-Fly from Cincinnati CVG to Boston Logan while making a connecting flight stop in DCA
-Arrive at Logan in terminal B, I love the new terminal with large glass windows with the view of downtown
-My family picks me up and we immediately head to East Boston
-We walk around East Boston and check out the skyline views from LoPresti Park
-There is a lot of new development in the neighborhood, it feels like Boston’s version of Long Island City
-Walk back to the car and go by the East Boston Greenway
-We drive under the tunnel into downtown and then drive to the Seaport and park on A St.
-Grab beers at Trillium Brewing Company from the outdoor patio
-Then we go for a walk first around Fan Pier Park and then cross the Fort Point Channel into downtown
-Walk to Faneuil Hall Marketplace and get dinner, I get a platter from the Indian vendor, I love that there is a Magnolia Bakery vendor which I remember getting the banana pudding at the Upper West Side location in NYC
-Drive out to Natick to stay in Hotel
​
Friday
-Go out with family to Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge
-Walk around the beautiful Puffer Pond
-Walk on the trails and see some of the ammunition storage bunkers
Saturday
-Go to Bat-Mitzvah with family
​
Sunday
-Spend more time with family, go to relatives house in Jamaica Plain where I would stay for the week
-Go for a run around the Weston Reservoir
-Go out to the JP Licks on Centre St.
-Walk to the Jamaica Pond at night
​
Monday
-Wake up and go to the Centre St/Seaverns Ave Blue Bike station and pick up a bike
-Ride bike to Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University and bike up to the top of Peters Hill and catch the great view
-Bike down through Roslindale Village then to the Forest Hill station, I love all of the bike/walk trails and bike parking
-I then enter the SW Corridor Park and bike up to the Jackson Square station
-There are tons of other bike commuters making for an enjoyable ride with other fellow people on the trails
-I go to the Stop & Shop to get some chewy bars
-I continue biking down past the JP Whole Foods and make my way to Jamaica Pond where I bike around the Pond counter-clockwise
-A person lets me know I cannot bike on the path in the SW portion of the park so I head for the road on Francis Parkman Dr. and feel very uncomfortable with all of the cars, but once I get to Perkins St. I go back to the trail
-I then make my way up the Emerald Necklace, passing through Olmstead Park
-I go by Longwood Medical area, the MFA and the Back Bay Fens
-I make it to the Massachusetts Ave and take in the views of Cambridge and the Boston skyline
-I bike down through the Back Bay and to the Boston Public Library
-Inside former governor Bill Weld is doing an interview with WGBH and I sit in for a few minutes
-I then walk around and check out the Norman Leventhal map room which I love
-I then check out the various rooms in the old section of the library including the main reading room, which is beautiful and not too crowded or swarmed with tourists (unlike the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building in NYC public library)
-Bike over to the Boston Public Garden and check out the landscaping
-Then walk through Beacon Hill, I love the historic streets and architecture
-Check out Louisburg Square, which feels like a small version of Gramercy Park
-Walk to the Massachusetts Statehouse and go inside
-Check out the House of Representative Chamber and Senate Chamber
-I talk with one of the guards (who has a very strong Boston accent) who tells me I should visit the Governor's Foyer and tells me to look for Bill Weld’s portrait which is different from all the others, so I go and visit and it is very different!
-I leave the statehouse and go to the Granary Burying Ground, it is amazing to see such and old Cemetery and I check out the graves of John Hancock and Paul Revere
-Walk to Downtown Crossing (DTX) and I am very impressed by the pedestrian only streets and vibrancy
-I get noodles with a lamb skewer at Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe which is very good
-I then walk through Chinatown by the Chinatown Gate and love seeing all of the elderly people playing card games at Mary Soo Hoo Park
-I bike over through the seaport to the Seaport World Trade Center and catch the amazing views
-Continue to bike over to the Reebok World Headquarters and checkout the store/crossfit studio
-I bike around the drydocks, I really like the AT-AT looking cranes
-I then bike over Summer St. and then to 1st street to Thomas J Butler Memorial Park and then make my way to Castle Island
-I dismount my bike (not suppose to bike along the paths on Castle Island) and walk around the Fort Independence and check out the views of planes landing at Logan, I do see quite a few large jets landing from overseas
-I walk around Pleasure Bay to Head Island and then get back on my bike after going to the Harbourwalk
-I bike along M Street Beach and then make my way up to Dorchester Heights up on Telegraph Hill. This area has great views of downtown and feels somewhat like San Francisco
-I bike back over Traveler St. through Channel Park and then go to the Chinatown Orange Line and Ride to Stony Brook
-I then bike over to Franklin Park where I check out White Stadium as there is a high school soccer game going on
-Then bike around the park stopping by the gates of the Zoo and then the Franklin Park Overlook Ruins
-Then I go back where I am staying in JP and go for a run...making a loop from the Pond to the SW Corridor Park then down to Forrest Hills then back up to the Pond
​
Tuesday
-Walk to Green street and take Orange Line to DTX...then transfer to Red Line, it is very crowded on the platford at the crossing
-Ride North on Red Line crossing the Charles River and to Alewife
-Station feels very Eurpean as there are lots of buses and bike parking
-Bike along Somerville Community Path to Davis station
-Bike north to Medford and check out Tufts University Campus, I love the buildings and greenery
-Bike north across the Mystic River and then to Medford Square
-Continue biking south to Magoun Square, checking out the very residential streets of Somerville
-Go to Market Basket to get some more chewy bars and get a sports drink
-Bike down to Harvard
-Check out the Harvard campus, I first start on the east side of campus and then make my way to the Harvard Yard and Harvard Square
-Bike over to the Cambridge Public Library for a quick phone charge
-Bike over through Inman Square and Union Square
-Bike up to Prospect Hill Park and check out the views of downtown Boston
-Bike through the Central Redline stop and bike over to the west side of the MIT campus to BU bridge
-Bike across BU bridge and check out all of the students crossing the street during class changes on Commonwealth Ave
-Bike back across the bridge taking in the view and then bike along the river on the Dr. Dudley White Bike Path
-When I get to Massachusetts Ave I walk around campus (I get a tour guide map) and check out some of the cool buildings such as Kresge Auditorium and the great dome. The MIT campus is much more visitor friendly than Harvard, you can really go in a lot more buildings
-Then I bike over to check out the Kendall Square area and check out MIT Sloan
-I make my way up to East Cambridge and have a salmon platter at Courthouse Seafood
-I then bike down through North Point Park and Paul Revere Park to Charlestown
-I check out the Boston National Historical Park on the water and then make my way into Charlestown
-I like Charlestown is does have a similar feeling to South Boston and is surprisingly nicer than I thought it would be and lots of very nice looking housing
-I make my way to the Bunker Hill Monument
-Then I run down to catch the ferry (which is included with 7-day MBTA pass) at the Charlestown Navy Yard Ferry Terminal
-Take 7 minute Ferry ride to the Aquarium Terminal and get great views of the harbour and downtown
-I take the Blue Line from the Aquarium to Government Center
-Then I take the D train Green Line to Kenmore
-Get off at Kenmore and walk to Fenway Park, I walk around the park before the gates open and get in line
-Go inside the park (get Bathan Eovaldi bobblehead giveaway) then check out the team store
-Inside awesome teamstore, I go to the back room where there is memorabilia and get an autograph from Julian Tavarez
-I walk into the stadium and I walk right down to home plate, then over to left field and onto the Green Monster, then on the upper deck around to right field, then down to the bleachers then back behind home plate. I love how you are allowed to go nearly everywhere in the park before the game starts (as opposed to Wrigley Field or Yankee Stadium). The ushers are so friendly and really go out of their way to make a great experience.
-Go to 5th row in Grandstand section 19 to watch the game which is a great view
-See a lot of Red Sox Legends in the Park (Pedro Martinez and Carlton Fisk)
-See Mike Yastrzemski hit a home run and the crowd gives a standing ovation
-Leave game and head to Tasty Burger
-Walk across the Fens and see a movie being filmed at the MFA coming to Netflix called ‘The Sleepover’
-Catch 39 Bus back to accommodation
Wednesday
-Wake up and bike over to Exodus Bagels, I get a plain with cream cheese
-Bike through Roxbury, go by Boston Latin Academy and up through Dudley Square
-Check out the Shirley-Eustis House
-Bike to Upham’s Corner and check out the Dorchester North Burying Ground. I love all of the street art murals in Roxbury and Dorchester, while these are some of the poorer neighborhoods in the city, they still are not that down looking and have a good community feel
-Check out the James Blake House (built in 1661!)
-Bike to the JFK/UMass Red Line stop and head south to Quincy Center
-Check out downtown Quincy and visit Hancock Cemetery which is very cool (set apart in 1640!)
-Walk up to check out the Adams National Park Visitor Center and then the The Old House at Peace Field, then I walk to the Quincy Homestead
-Walk through Faxon Field and then go to the Original Dunkin Donuts on Southern Artery and get a 10 pcs munchkins (and immediately eat all of them)
-Walk back downtown and check out inside Thomas Crane Public Library
-Take Red Line back to JFK/UMass and bike along Dorchester Shores Reservation
-Bike around JFK Presidential Library and then check out the UMass Boston Campus, I take a break in the beautiful cafeteria overlooking the water and charge my phone and rest for a few minutes
-I then bike down around Savin Hill Cove past the Vietnam War Memorial and over to Malibu Beach
-Then I bike up to the top of Savin Hill but the view is disappointing as there really isn’t a view
-I then take the Red Line from Savin Hill to Broadway and check out the Gillette HQ complex and take in the views from the city
-I bike to the South End Whole Foods and get a turkey sandwich
-I then go to Emerson and check out the buildings there and eat my turkey sandwich and then walk through the North End
-I check out the Paul Revere Statue, Old North Church and Copp’s Hill Burial Ground
-Go to North Station and catch the Green E line to the MFA
-Check out the MFA which is very very impressive, my favorite section is the American landscape paintings. I also see some work done by Frank Duveneck who is from where I live in Covington, KY (right across the bridge from Cincinnati)
-Bike over to meet a friend at Harvard, to get there I bike through Longwood and catch the stunning sunset John W. Weeks Footbridge
-Take Red Line from Harvard Square to DTX then take Orange line to Jackson Square
-Bike to the JP Whole foods and get 2 cans of beans to eat
-Bike back to accommodation, eat beans and go to sleep
​
Thursday
-Wake up and take Orange Line to Wellington, there is a Dunkin in the stop and there are many locals waiting to get their fix
-Take the Encore shuttle to the Encore Casino (originally I got on the employee shuttle)
-Walk through the Casino and grounds, the physical plant is amazing and there are some nice views of the Mystic but overall I am not that impressed as the shopping is not that high end and the minimums are high for the table games
-I take the shuttle back to Wellington and then take Orange Line to Back Bay Station then I take the Green B line from Copley Square to Harvard Ave
-I then walk to Bazaar on Cambridge and get ½ pound of lox and a loaf of dark brown sourdough rye 'Borodinsky bread.'
-I eat outside at a local park right next to the Honan-Allston Branch of the Boston Public Library and then check out the library inside
-I then walk over to Harvard Stadium and check it out and the Harvard Business School and check out the campus and meet with a friend there briefly
-I catch the 66 bus back down to Harvard Ave into Brookline where I grab a bagel at Kupel's Bakery walk around and check out the JFK National Historic Site
-Then make my way down to Coolidge Corner and then check out the Brookline Farmers Market
-Then walk on Beacon Street and up Summit Ave to Corey Hill Overlook Park which the views are ok but then walk back down and catch the Green Line C train
-Get off at the end of the C train at Cleveland Circle and walk around Chestnut Hill Reservoir from the north side
-I then walk through Boston College Football stadium and the campus, which is very beautiful
-I then walk down Hammond St. to the Chestnut HIll D train and take it to Longwood station
-I walk through Longwood at all of the world class medical schools and institutions and walk by Boston Latin School
-I then walk through Northeastern campus and go to Ruggles station and catch a brand new Orange Line train which I take to Chinatown
-I then walk though the Boston Common and grab a Mcdonalds burgefries/McChicken and eat on a bench in the common and do some people watching
-Then I go to the Boston Opera House to see the premiere the 2019-2020 Boston Ballet which is a performance of Giselle which I love
-After the show then check out the new downtown Taco Bell but it is a complete mess so I just take an Uber back
​
Friday
-Wake up and go to Green St. Orange Line, there is a brand new train but it is going outbound to Forrest Hills so I take an old train to Massachusetts Ave station and walk through the SW Corridor Park. I love the juxtaposition of the historic walk ups to the towering skyscrapers
-I make my way to Harriet Tubman Square, Chester Park, Franklin Square and Jackson Square
-I walk through the Berklee Community Garden
-I then walk up to check out the Boston Marathon Bombing Memorial Finish Line and get a bagel w/cream cheese at Finagleabagel
-Then I meet some friends and walk through the Copley Place shops and then go up to the Skydeck on the top of the Prudential Building
-The views are great but I do not think worth the $20+ price of admission. Its is cool though to see all of the places I have been from a birds eye view, especially the water and all of the rowhouse neighborhoods
-Then take Prudential Green Line to Haymarket and check out the farmers market
-I then head to City Hall Plaza and take in the Boston Climate Strike
-Next I take Green Line E train from Government Center to Symphony Hall and go inside
-I see performance of the Boston Symphony I get a seat on the first balcony to have a view of the two piano concerto. There is also a world premiere piece commissioned by the BSO and Beethoven's Fantasia featuring The Tanglewood Festival Chorus.
-After the Symphony I take the Orange Line to Stoney Brook and get some bagels from City Feed
-In evening head to Millenium Park and go for a run, take trail down to the Charles River and then take in the sunset from atop the skyline loop
-Go out to dinner at Sweet Rice in JP
​
Saturday
-I go for a morning run, I first cross the Emerald Necklace into Brookline to check out Larz Anderson Park. Then I go through the Arboretum and the Bussey Brook Meadow to the Forest Hills Cemetery. I visit the burial places of Revolutionary War General Joseph Warren, Poet E.E. Cummings, Abolitionist William Llyod Garrison and Nobel Laureate Playwright Eugene O'Neil.
-Then I go to the Sam Adams Brewery and go for a toutasting where I try the Boston Lager, Oktoberfest, and Pumpkin Ale
-Then take 39 bus to the Back Bay and walk down Newbury St and check out all of the shops
-Get a burrito at the Back Bay Trader Joes and then walk to the Boston Common where the ‘Freedom Fest’ is taking place, there is a lot of smoke which I cannot handle so I walk around
-I check out the ‘Friends’ couch set and then take the Silver Line from Tuft Medical Center to Dudley Square
-I get a shredded beef sandwich at Joe’s which is really big just what I needed
-Then I take the 28 bus to the orange line back to JP
-At night I take 39 bus to Copley and take Green Line B train to Boston University East and I go see the Mendoza Line Comedy show at the Dugout Cafe
​
Sunday
-I wake up and take bus to the South end and check out the SoWa open market, I check out the food stalls, outdoor crafts market, indoor vintage market and artist studios
-I then grab some food at the South End Whole Foods and then take Orange Line/Orange line shuttle back to JP
-Then go for an afternoon run through the Noanet Woodland and catch the nice view of downtown Boston and forest from the top of the lookout
​
Monday
-Wake up before dawn, and take Orange Line to the Blue Line at Government Center and take the Blue Line to the Airport
-Check out the skyline from the terminal one last time and then fly back to CVG

View this thread for the most up to date pubstomp list! This thread is updated everyday! Organizers, you can create an account and publish your event on Esports-Tickets.com if you plan to sell tickets, $0 fees promo for organizers
I tried to look for a pubstomp thread but couldn't find one so here it is! Usually Reservoir_cat creates this one but I haven't been able to get in touch with him/her. Here's the old TI7 and TI6 pubstomp threads.
There are a couple of threads made to ask for surveys/feedback/how-tos about pubstomps, feel free to PM me because I've organized several pubstomps in the past and partnered with sponsors such as RedBull, Logitech, GameVox, AMD, etc. as well and can offer a few tips and tricks!
Comment below with the country, city and description for your pubstomp, it helps a lot to include a link for additional details.

Country	City	Description
Australia	Brisbane	Event Link - Tickets $20 before 18/08, $25 after. Food and Drinks provided, giveaways and 1v1 tournament as well. luberk
Australia	Melbourne	Event Link - One amazing guy has rented a cinema in Melbourne, Australia if you feel like joining us at 3am! priorax
Australia	Sydney	Event Link - The same amazing guy that rented out a cinema in Melbourne, Australia has also rented out a cinema in Sydney, Australia if you feel like joining us at 3am.
Austria	Vienna	Event Link - HurghtRS
Belarus	Minsk	Event Link Official Secret Shop, bars , cosplay & sponspors giveaway. Velcom Cinema & Galileo Silver Screen RestorKa
Brazil	Belo Horizonte	Event Link - We will broadcast every game, including group stages, at WASD eSports Bar in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. For the finals we are planning a big event with giveaways and x1 with pros and semi-pros. The tickets are R$ 10,00 and you can check it out here. Urso_WASD
Brazil	Porto Alegre	Event Link - Venha assistir a final do The International 2018 ao vivo, em um telão, na Lends Club! Teremos comida, chopp e premios! Come watch The International 2018 finals on a big screen, at Lends Club! We'll have food, draft beer and prizes for atendees! esportsPOA
Canada	London	Event Link - We will once again host @ The Squire Pub & Grill in London, ON, CAD. RGBKnights
Canada	Ottawa	Event Link - At Click eSports Sat, 25 August 2018 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM EDT. Ticket types to only watch or to also use gaming PCs at same time (note that I am not the organizer) Cote-de-Bone
Canada	Toronto	https://esports-tickets.com/event-public/ti8ve - Join us again this year at the Cineplex Yonge and Dundas! We’ve always sold out every year for the pubstomp and the crowd is always awesome! Need more information? Information and tickets are on our Esports-Tickets.com event page and you can join the Canada Dota 2 group. Some ticket packages are limited in quantities, so if you can't purchase a specific ticket, it means that it has been sold out. chibista
Denmark	Copenhagen	Event Link - Cinema viewing party for the Lower Bracket Final and Grand Final of TI8 on 25. august 2018. 17:45-04:00 CET (or whenever it ends) with competitions, giveaways, free Coca-Cola at entrance, hosts, entertainment and a great atmosphere. Panel, interviews, and ceremony will all be broadcasted as well. OlLi_-
Estonia	Tartu	https://www.facebook.com/events/218604902140257/ - Hey! I'm organising a pubstomp in Tartu, Estonia. No ticket and proper pub food at the pub Illegaard. More info can be found at our FB event. dekamano
Finland	Helsinki	https://www.facebook.com/events/285584798893275/ - PHZ.fi in co-operation with Aalto Gamers are organizing a viewing party in the Helsinki metropolitan area (Espoo, Otaniemi to be precise). You can get there very easily by metro from Helsinki. Come enjoy the final day of TI8 with us! There's gonna be pizza & soft drinks available for free + there's a grocery store and a grill close by to the venue phzgames
Finland	Jyväskylä	Event Link - There's one here organized by JeSSe Ry: Jyväskylä, Finland. Ilokivi onstage. Facebook link for the event: This is 18+ event. Hallunder
Germany	Karlsruhe	Event Link - Since we have successfully hosted Germany’s biggest Dota 2 public viewing for a couple of years now, we want to try meet the expectations this year once again. We will be broadcasting the grand finals on August 25th on the AKK tribune starting at 7pm. There, we want to collectively experience the biggest spectacle in this Dota 2 year with all the fans from near and far. Not only Dota 2 players but also DotA veterans, Dota 2 newbies and everyone who wants to get to know the phenomenon Dota are welcome to join us. spcemarine
Germany	Regensburg	Event Link - The 4th year in a row we are organizing the Dota TI finals public viewing in the old town of Regensburg. The event will take place at Picasso Regensburg. Starting time is 18:00 at the 25th of august. Like the last years the entrance is free, we have a pubquiz and MEGA Dota related drink specials. This year we also organized a Fotobox (thanks to the Gamerverein Regensburg) were you can take fotos with your favourite Dota heroes or even become one yourself! For further details you can look up the event page or contact us via facebook. Kryptondifluorid
Hong Kong	Hong Kong	Event Link - Location is still to be determined. Dota2 HK is hosting one on Grand Finals Day. Aug 25, 10pm HK Time. cybuster2
India	Delhi NCR	Event Link - Dota 2 Delhi pubstomp is back sunnydiv
Ireland	Dublin	Event Link - It's in the same pub as previous years. Strictly 18+ unfortunately. Hopefully can get added to the list. KC252
Netherlands	Amsterdam	Event Link - Confirmed to broadcast as many of the games as possible, even after official closing times. No Facebook event yet. Razorya
Netherlands	Rotterdam	Event Link - Pretty sure there is one in Rotterdam in the Netherlands. I'm not sure it's a "pubstomp" but they're supposed to be hosting something. justanothrunistudent
Russia	Saint-Petersburg	http://dota2vo.ru/ti8 - Organizing pubstomp 6th time in awesome theatre with lounge zone, secret shop, 1x1 tournament and other stuff. Come to us on 25th of august finargot
Singapore	Singapore	Event Link - Singapore's one's at SAFRA Yishun, main atrium. Minimum spending of S$5 as per the post, for snacks pass. Cannot go because i booked a hotel somewhere else. nekosake2
Singapore	Singapore	Event Link - 2nd one is at Singtel Comcentre, with PMS nekosake2
South Africa	Cape Town	Event Link I think there's something happening in Cape Town (South Africa), I'm definitely gonna attend it :D meeposki
South Africa	Johannesburg	Event Link - Sparky_Naartjie
Sweden	Stockholm	https://www.facebook.com/events/206858336604801/ - I'm not entirely sure, but I believe it's an 18+ event. burger_stand
Thailand	Bangkok	Event Link - Not sure if this counted as pubstomp but we are having one in Bangkok, Thailand. Sponsored by Lenovo Thailand. It will be hosted at Siam Pavalai Theatre on the 6th floor of Siam Paragon shopping mall. Aug 25-26 10pm-10 am local time. Rawinza555
Thailand	Bangkok	Event Link - Another BIGGEST PUBSTOMP in BKK THAILAND is held by INVATE, Esport Specialist in Thailand (The best Live Broadcasting), who will bring the best experience to all Dota 2 fans!! discotechssss
Ukraine	Odessa	Event Link - there is pubstomp in Odessa, Ukraine if anyone even cares
United Kingdom	London	Event Link - This event is pending and not finalized JawnisBritish
United Kingdom	London	https://www.facebook.com/events/259335661345723/ - We are having one at the Carlsberg Esports bar in central London with free entry, food and drinks available and more to be announced. BanKseSports
United Kingdom	Manchester	Event Link - Over 18s only (they are Casino venues) epicWinbar
United Kingdom	Newcastle-upon-Tyne	Event Link - Over 18s only (they are Casino venues) epicWinbar
United Kingdom	Reading South	Event Link - Over 18s only (they are Casino venues) epicWinbar
USA	Acton	https://m.facebook.com/thepizzaplaceacton - Considering doing deals on pizza, apps, and Beer if we can get anyone out there. 85" TV and 6 TV'ss total in the sports bar. Pictures on Facebook. At this point its just me and my one friend. renorhino88
USA	Baltimore	Event Link - Hey, representing the Baltimore one as well! This event is 21+, food specials. It's the fourth year we've participated! Seanbiscuit
USA	Chicago	Event Link - If you're 18+ in Chicago and want to watch Grand Finals surrounded by fellow fans, come out to a FanHome hosted International watch party at Hi-Point, the gaming lounge of Highline in River North on Saturday, August 25th. Tickets are sold above, each ticket provides you entrance to the bar, food, giveaways from FanHome's beverage partner, and enters you into a raffle. Jayhawk2b
USA	Cincinnati	Event Link - I’m proud to announce the official TI8 Pubstomp this year in Cincinnati! I’ve been working with the owners of 16-Bit Bar+Arcade. We have a great venue setup, with our own reserved seating to accommodate however many people show up. We'll even have a signature drink just for the occasion! Please be sure to tell your friends and family (even those who haven’t watched or played DotA – they might leave a fan!).This event is for guests 21 and over, so please keep that in mind. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions and please RSVP if you plan on attending. Banana___Hammock
USA	Houston	Event Link - The International 8 Watch Party on August 25th In Houston, TX! Whether you love Dota, or have never seen a game this is going to be a great party for all gamers! We will have special guests, vendors, raffles, drink specials, food, hookah stands and much more! We will be raffling off a Hyper X gamer setup including a Mechanical Keyboard, Mouse, and Headset! LotharThrowaway
USA	Medina	Event Link - Welcome to the 6th year of me hosting Dota pubstomps in Medina Ohio. Last year was a great turnout but after many people saying that it was too small i looked for a new place again. Luckily the place i hosted in 2016 is back and that's where we are this year. As always the event is open to anyone of any age and no cover charge! I just strongly encourage anyone who attends to Eat and Drink there as they are giving us the place for the whole day for free. theaxel11
USA	Oakland	Cafe el Patio - In Oakland, California is going be showing everything from the group stages to the Main event finals! Address is 4030 International Blvd, Oakland CA. There is limited seating but there are three TVs. typicalhonduran
USA	Sacramento	Event Link - Come watch The International 8 at my house! Join us for our second annual Pubstomp! We host Friday and Saturday and setup a LAN party in the dining room to play between matches. Fairfield is located directly between San Francisco and Sacramento (North-East bay). Last year we had six viewers. Please RSVP so we can plan for food and message you the exact address. Amenities include: 75" 4k UltraHD stream with Pioneer 5.1 Surround Sound, Pizza, Beer, Nachos and More, Couches, Enthusiasm, Fast Internet, 420 Friendly josher777
USA	Seattle	Event Link - If you're over 21 and are in the Seattle area during TI, @FollowMe has organized a pubstomp in Capitol Hill for Saturday, August 25th. Sketches_Stuff_Maybe
USA	Washington	Event Link - Join us at Tenley Bar and Grill to watch the finals on their projection screen. This event is ALL AGES and cosplay is encouraged. There will be giveaways throughout the day of some Dota2 swag as well as 3 full event tickets for GEXCon (gexconvention.com) coming up at the end of the month. dmr83457
Vietnam	Hanoi	Pending details from 23 Creative VN ptaqll5
Vietnam	Hai Phong City	Event Link - Time 21:00 , day 25 / 08 , location : 21 Trần Hưng Đạo Street - Vườn Xuân Coffee butchimau_hp_95
Vietnam	Ho Chi Minh City	Event Link - Watch their full HD video for the event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOLKzDDyNuU ptaqll5
Vietnam	Ho Chi Minh City	Event Link - Time: 21 h00 day 25/8-10 h00 day 26/8, location: Restaurant 68 lộc shots, number 213 to theme, Ward 15, District 10, TP. Ho Chi Minh. All details, please contact MEGA esports gaming house at 0909791809 ptaqll5
---	---	----

PS: Also still hoping Valve would ship this merch out to us pubstomp organizers :D
PS: Discount on ticket fees on esports-tickets.com, pm me for details.

Chapter 1
This is a true story.
I will begin this story in 2007, this is when I decided to join the Royal Australian Navy. I was 22yrs old and had been out of high school for 4 years with no real intent on going to university since I didn’t think it would necessarily make me successful. I been doing odd jobs like a pizza driver which I had to hold for a year because I originally applied for the Air Force but was rejected due to not holding a steady job which showed a lack of commitment, therefore after a year as a pizza driver a joined the Navy since a few of my friends had joined and said it was an easy ride. So there I was on the bus to Cerberus.
I had to go into the city to get a bus with everyone else down to Cerberus despite living only 20 minutes from the base. Cerberus is the main Navy training base in Cribpoint, Victoria where all the new recruits from around Australia end up. As recruit school came to an end after 11 weeks I had to wait for the next graduating class for a month before I was posted to Sydney to start my course as a Combat Systems Operator. That’s when my life took a big turning point. I was attending early morning activity where we were asked to lift weights and run them over to the training ground, I started to feel a sharp pain in my back, after a while I had to stop running and asked to go to the hospital. Limping over I barely made it when in the hospital my back started to spasm with pain. I had an L5 disc prolapse and could not walk for 2 days and was in the hospital for 10 days. I was happy to finally leave the hospital at which point they told me not to sit down or stand up for too long so I proceeded straight to the casino to play poker.
Upon arriving at HMAS Watson in Sydney I was informed by the doc that I wouldn’t be posting to a ship anytime soon as my back injury was holding me back. HMAS Watson is a beautiful base where people from the public would actually get married in the church on base. I enjoyed the CSO course and was top of the class but I couldn’t keep out of trouble. I push my luck one night when I got drunk on base and end up in a fight with another trainee. I was suspended with pay for 6 months and returned to Melbourne where I had to report to Cerberus 3 times a week. They sent me a letter explaining that my service would be terminated but I could write in a response with a reason why I should stay. I decided that since I wouldn’t be posting to a ship I decided to leave. Psychologists would later say that my actions in the Navy were early signs of schizophrenia.
Back in Melbourne and looking for a job a decided to get a job where my back wouldn’t stop me from working so I started working at a call center selling electricity over the phone. Not a very nice job but it paid for my apartment and beer which is all I really needed. 1 year in the job and I had been promoted a number of times to quality controller and then campaign manager. During this time my schizophrenia started to take hold. When I get schizophrenic I start to think I’m under surveillance and also think “I’m the only one in existence”, as a secret agent, I can do whatever I feel like doing without any consequences. So I stole 52 credit card numbers with there cvv numbers from work for later use. I knew that if I used the cards that the people would get their money back because if they report their cards stolen the bank gives them back their money while they investigate, so I was really robbing the bank. The campaign I was managing was the Insulation scheme and the Home sustainability campaign. The government was giving away free insulation worth $1600 to every household and free home assessments that are both meant to help tackle climate change by reducing the carbon footprint of each house. The whole campaign collapsed overnight when a number of people had been killed by fires that had started from dodgy insulation installers. That’s when I decided to start my own company. I knew a few old clients that were not that happy with my current company so I called them up and told them I was starting my own and would they like to be a client. I got a few that said yes and with one offering $5000 cash to startup I knew this was the time. I flew to Sydney and picked up the cash like something from the movies and on the way to my hotel I saw the guy that I had got into a fight with from the Navy and thought if I didn’t have $5k in my bag I would throw you in the river but lucky I had the cash. After bathing in the money I made my way back to Melbourne got my friends together and started up on Little Collins Street in the CBD. After 3 months of running home sustainable services, I flew back to Sydney to set-up a new center with a client. Half-way through setting up my friend and I decided to drive back to Melbourne because we had things to do, we hired a rent-a-bomb car, the old cars that you’re not meant to drive out of the city, we decided to take it to Melbourne from Sydney. We picked up a hitchhiker who had lost his license drink driving and at that point, I decided to let Finbar drive. Finbar hadn’t driven a car in 10 years when he had his learners as he has been using public transport for most of his life but I didn’t think much could go wrong. Well. The hitchhiker was so afraid of Finbars driving he asked to be let out at the next stop in the middle of nowhere. Upon letting the guy out Finbar then for some reason accidentally decided to plant his foot down on the accelerator while in neutral with me yelling at him to take his foot of and him looking around in confusion it was all pretty funny. By the time we had got to Melbourne the car was overheated and smoke was coming out of the engine. We just managed to get it into a train carpark before it died for good. The car company called me up asking if I needed another day and I explained what had happened and they then asked for $5000 by the end of the business day for the car. The car wasn’t worth $500 so $5000 they were dreaming. We borrowed the client's credit card to hire a nice new car to drive back up to Sydney and along the way when we collided with a truck tire at 110km/h that was in the middle of the road. The car slightly damaged we arrived at which point we were locked out of the office because we hadn’t paid back the debt we owed to them. So it was back to Melbourne again. When I flew back to Melbourne the company had no campaigns to go on so I had to close it down. I then applied for Centrelink and had to move into a backpacker as that’s all I good afford. Centrelink, however, wouldn’t pay me for 1 month because I had previously run my own company and they had to make sure I had no money. This only led to one thing. Crime. I went to coles online shopping and bought roast lamb, bourbon, wines, and anything I felt like with the stolen credit card numbers. I had it all delivered to the door. I needed to convert this into cash somehow so I bought items like police scanners and surveillance equipment which I later sold at cash converters. The lawyers would later argue I was highly paranoid hence the equipment. I then decided to fly to Perth to visit my mate. So I called up Virgin Blue and gave the credit card over the phone while I was at the airport and bought the next flight out of Melbourne. I guess it didn’t matter the card had a different name than my name since I flew under my real name. In Perth, I knew I could sneak into an Army barracks that were used by all three services without anyone noticing so I did. I walked in through the side gate and slept in the barracks for a week. There were 3 big 2 story blocks that were mostly empty and a few rooms that were unlocked. I ordered pizza over the phone again with the cards just down the road. I then decided it was time to leave and head back to the Airport so I walked into town and asked to take a car for a test drive from a local dealer, I drove the car back onto the base and loaded up the car with my luggage and that’s when the fuel run out. So what did I do? I walk over to the fuel pump on the base of course and asked to use a petrol can to fill up my ride. That’s when I bumped into a very switched on army officer who asked me a hundred questions at a time. He told me to just go and wait in the blocks while we find out where I’m from. I could have made a dash for it but being a 35-degree day I just thought fuck it. The officer came in and said “You’re not going anywhere till you tell me who you are and what you’re doing”, I told them straight up, I was on base because I didn’t want to pay for accommodation and I’m really cheap, they called the cops and then we both started having a laugh about the lack of security around the place. I was charged with trespassing and got a $150 fine. The car was picked up by the owner and I flow back to Melbourne again with stolen credit cards.
When I arrived back in Melbourne Centrelink finally decided to pay up and I then took myself straight to the police station and handed over the credit card numbers at which point the policeman looked at me and said: “why are you handing yourself in?” Well, my belief that I was part of ASIO and untouchable made me feel like I wouldn’t really get in any trouble, and I also wanted to make sure the people that I had stolen from got their money back from the banks.
I had an initial interview with the detective and he informed me it would take some time to investigate what I bought on what cards so I didn’t attend court for about 6 months time. In the meantime, I was staying at backpackers meeting loads of people from around the world and then I met Alex. This guy was wearing the Navy running shorts like a typical wanker. He had just gotten out of the Navy and looking for a new goal in life as well. We became good mates talking about all the crap you get up to in the Navy. We ended up going out most nights using the free drink cards that you can get at the backpackers to get shit faced. With the money I had saved, I decided to buy a van so I could sleep in the back and not have to pay for accommodation. I parked the car in the open carpark next to Urban central backpacker right under the highway. It was ok besides the car getting broken into nearly every week but I really had nothing worth stealing. My mate and I were out on the town pissing up spending all our money at the casino and strippers and then decided it would be a great idea to break into a storage facility and see what we could get. We drove out there and we were so drunk we were on the site for 40 mins before the cops finally came to arrest us. My mate gave up but I started running for it. I made it about 300 meters before being surrounded. Yet another pending court appearance. You would think I would learn by now to stop doing crime but the type of schizophrenia that I have just says “Do whatever the fuck you like”. And again I was about to. With all the stress of the pending court dates, I decided it would be a nice time for a good old road trip. I hired a Ford xr6 2010 model a nice car with plenty of space and cruise control I first was just going to hire the car for a day when I said to myself “let's drive to Byron Bay”. I went on gumtree and advertised offering a lift from Melbourne to Sydney for $50. I figured if I got a full car of 4 people I would even make money from the trip after fuel expenses. I traveled with 2 French girls and 2 English girls and so began a month-long trip traveling with 30 different people from Melbourne to Sydney to Byron Bay to Brisbane to Hervey Bay and then back to Sydney. I was traveling over from March to April to it wasn’t hard to find travel partners. I stopped over at Byron Bay for the Bluesfest where I decided to volunteer. After staying at the backpacker for one night I noticed a girl trying to sneak in so that’s when I decided to buy a tent and camp and invite people to camp out with me. I found a nice quiet spot right down near the beach and camped with ten different people. A great time watching the sunrise knowing that I would more than likely be going to prison. Somehow I just didn’t give a shit. I dropped the car off at Sydney airport and flow back to Melbourne. Back in the van again and that’s when the first major schizophrenic episode happened.
To be continued..

How the Day Unfolded

12 Questions to Ministers were answered

• Transcript can be found here

1 Question to a member was answered

• 1. PHIL TWYFORD (Labour—Te Atatū) to the Member in charge of the Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill (No 2): Why did he draft the Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill (No 2)?
  ANDREW LITTLE (Labour - list)(Member in charge of the Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill (No 2)): Because, in 2016, no child in New Zealand should be living in a hovel, and it is time that New Zealand accepted a standard that no child should be getting sick or die because they cannot live in a warm, safe, dry home. This bill sets standards to ensure that every rental property is livable and will keep kids out of hospital.
  Phil Twyford: How does this bill differ from the current law?
  ANDREW LITTLE: The current law, propagated by the present Government, applies a standard for insulation that is only at the 1978 standard and requires the installation of smoke alarms. My bill requires there to be a source of heating, requires weathertightness, requires the house to be able to be ventilated, and has a minimum standard on drainage. The Children's Commissioner described the Government's current law as shameful and said that it will do little for children living in cold, damp, mouldy homes. My bill will be a whole heap better.
  

The General Debate was Held
The general debate is held every week on Wednesday after Question Time. The formal procedure for the debate is that a member move a motion that the house take note of miscellaneous business. Members have 5 minutes to speak to whatever issue they wish. At the end of the hour the motion lapses and no question is put or vote taken.
The speakers were:

Call	Member	Party	Seat	Topic
1.	Andrew Little	Labour	List	Housing, The Budget, The State of the Govt
2.	Amy Adams	National	Selwyn	The Labour Greens MOU & Government announcements in the past 4 weeks
3.	Iain Lees-Galloway	Labour	Palmerston North	Immigration
4.	Anne Tolley	National	East Coast	Welfare Reforms & Regional Development
5.	Ron Mark	New Zealand First	List	Immigration & the rise of New Zealand First at the expense of Labour and National
6.	Craig Foss	National	Tukituki	Andrew Little v Stuart Nash and East Coast development
7.	Peter Dunne	United Future	Ohariu	Children in New Zealand
8.	Sarah Dowie	National	Invercargill	Economic Growth and Development in Southland
9.	Marama Davidson	Green	List	Housing
10.	Jono Naylor	National	List	Recent Government Announcements
11.	Louisa Wall	Labour	Manurewa	Social Development & homelessness
12.	Dr Shane Reti	National	Whangarei	Government achievements and announcements

A transcript of the debate can be found – here
Private and Local Orders of the Day

• The committee stage of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Act Repeal Bill was completed. The debate on this non controversial bill was very quick - only 3 members took a call before the bill was agreed to and reported without amendment. The bill is in the name of Nicky Wagner (National - Christchurch Central)

Member’s Orders of the Day

• The Minimum Wage (Contractor Remuneration) Amendment Bill was read a second time. This bill is in the name of Labour list MP David Parker. This Bill amends the Minimum Wage Act 1983 to extend its provisions to apply to payments under a contract for services that are remunerated at below the minimum wage. Act and National voted against the bill but the vote was won after United Future voted in favour of the bill.
  
• The first reading of the Oaths and Declarations (Endorsing the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi) Amendment Bill was not agreed to. The purpose of this bill is to ensure that a person taking any oath set out in statute may, in addition to the words of the oath, elect to state that they will perform their duties in accordance with the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
  This bill saw spirited debate including the contribution of Treaty Affairs Minister and Attorney General Chris Finlayson (National – list). Arguments in favour contended that one could swear an oath on a bible to uphold the law according to their religious belief but not to uphold the principles of the Treaty that founded our nation. The counter argument was one based on the lack of need and that government agencies already uphold the principles of the treaty during their day to day activities and are required to consider them during decision making.
  The votes were:
  

  Party	Aye	Nay
  National	0	59
  Labour	32	0
  Green	14	0
  New Zealand First	0	12
  Maori	2	0
  Act	1	0
  United Future	1	0
  Total	50	71

• The Social Security (Stopping Benefit Payments for Offenders who Repeatedly Fail to Comply with Community Sentences) Amendment Bill was read a first time. The bill was passed 61 – 60. This bill is in the name of National MP for Rodney Mark Mitchell. This bill would give the Department of Corrections the power to issue warnings to persons who have not complied with community-based sentences, with the consequence of withholding benefit payments. It has been referred to the Social Services Select Committee.
  

Debate Interrupted

• The debate on the Customs and Excise (Prohibition of Imports Made by Slave Labour) Amendment Bill was interrupted when Mark Mitchell (National – Rodney) was speaking with 9 speeches remaining. The bill is in the name of Labour’s Tāmaki Makaurau MP Peeni Henare and amends the Customs and Excise Act 1996 to make goods produced in whole or in part by slave labour a prohibited import. National have indicated they will be voting against the bill.

The Biscuit Tin of Democracy
It has been a while but the biscuit tin has been dusted off and there was space for 3 bills to be drawn today. 79 bills were entered into the ballot.
The winning bills were:

• Land Transfer (Foreign Ownership of Land Register) Amendment Bill - Mahesh Bindra from New Zealand First proposes a bill that would ensure that a comprehensive register of all foreign-owned New Zealand land is compiled and made available to the general public.
  
• Residential Tenancies (Safe and Secure Rentals) Amendment Bill in the name of Green Party Co Leader Metiria Turei. This bill amends the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 to strengthen tenants’ rights and promote secure, long-term tenancies.
  
• Airport Authorities (Publicising Lost Property Sales) Amendment Bill in the name of Port Hills based National List MP Nuk Korako. This bill will amend the Airport Authorities Act 1966 to provide airport authorities with greater flexibility when publicising the disposal of lost property.
  

Psephology Spotlight
Elections Concluded

• In South Africa the ruling African National Congress suffered massive losses in their worst election performance since the end of Apartheid. The municipal council elections (which are conducted under MMP) saw the ANC lose majority control of many battleground cities including Johannesburg and Nelson Mandela Bay and minor parties now are engaging in coalition talks between the ANC and opposition Democratic Alliance over who gets to control the council. In the last election the ANC garnered 62% of the popular vote whereas this year they mustered 54%. Corruption and economic woes are attributed to the swing away from the ANC. Famously President Zuma was found by the Constitutional Court to have benefited from $16 million worth of illegal expenditure to his personal home. In another example local corruption resulted in hundreds of toilets being built, row upon row, where houses should be instead.- see 1:20 in the video The ANC have promised to do a review in preparation for the next general election in 2019 and the position of President Zuma appears to be on shakey ground. However, many factions within the party are loyal to Zuma and it is thought that it is unlikely he could be brought down without a fight. Turnout was particularly key to the election results. Significant amounts of the population are still loyal to the ANC and so express their dissatisfaction by not turning up to vote, as they will not vote for any other party. Winning these groups back by 2019 is the new priority for the ANC and the opposition is hoping to win them over by bringing new leadership to local government.
  
• The small African island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe has a new president after their August 7 vote. The first round was held on July 17 and provisional results suggested that challenger Evaristo Carvalho, a former Prime Minister, had won but the result was annulled due to irregularities. Incumbent president Pinto da Costa boycotted the second round after claiming Carvalho engaged in fraudulent activity in round 1 meaning Carvalho was elected unopposed. Costa served as the nation’s first president from 1975 – 1991 and was elected again in 2011. He will leave office in early September.
  

Upcoming Elections

• Presidential elections will be held in Gabon on 28 August 2016. The president serves a seven year term and is elected via first past the post. The issue for the opposition is that given the multitude of candidates standing (14 are approved to be on the ballot) vote splitting may result in incumbent President Ali Bongo Ondimba sneaking back into office much like how Ondimba was first elected in 2009. Former United Nations General Assembly President and Gabonese Foreign Minister Jean Ping is considered Ondimba’s toughest competition. Ping served under Ondimba’s father who was president of Gabon from 1967 until his death in 2009 and was involved in demonstrations against Ondimba which were broken up by police.
  
• General elections and a constitutional referendum will be held in Zambia on 11 August. At stake are 150 members of the National Assembly, the five year term of president and an amendment to the Bill of Rights. The amendment would see Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental rights inserted alongside civil and political rights. Additionally the referendum if approved would see the rules for amendments to the constitution and bill of rights changed. In the race for president Edgar Lungu of the Patriotic Front is hoping to be elected to his first full term in office after winning the 2015 presidential by election. He is facing a rematch with Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development who missed out on victory by 27,757 votes last time in a race that still is disputed. The election method is two round first past the post. The Patriotic Front currently has a plurality of seats (60) in the multi party National Assembly who are elected via first past the post.
  

Fact of the Day – Housing the Prime Minister
All over the world Prime Ministers and leaders receive as a perk of their office a home that they can reside in throughout their tenure. In the United Kingdom it is 10 Downing Street, The French Prime Minister calls Hôtel Matignon home, The Prime Minister of Canada gets 24 Sussex Drive while the Prime Minister of India gets 7, Race Course Road (A.K.A Panchavati). In Australia the Prime Minister has The Lodge in Canberra and Kirribilli House in Sydney. In New Zealand it is Premier House but this hasn't always been the case.
In the early days of the New Zealand Parliament, premiers were required to find their own accommodation. This changed in 1865 when the capital moved to Wellington and the government acquired a simple 22-year-old wooden cottage in Thorndon’s Tinakori Road. This was a damp, flood-prone gully, but it was close to Parliament. A Wellington newspaper, elated by the city’s new status, thought the £2900 price ‘cheap’. An Auckland paper called it a ‘monstrous waste of public money’.
New Zealands sixth Premier, Frederick Weld, didn’t get to spend long in the house. Weld made many enemies by overseeing the moving of the capital to Auckland from Wellington as well as seeing the confiscation of more than a million acres of land from Waikato Maori. The finances of his government were precarious at best and his relations with the Governor soured over the withdrawal of British Troops. In October 1865 his government resigned after less than a year in the position.
With the arrival of the Vogel family in 1872 the house adopted the name “the casino” and consisted of 8 bedrooms with conservatory and ballroom. The ballroom got a hammering. They made Premier House the social centre of Wellington. In July 1876 Lady Vogel sent out 250 invitations to a calico fancy dress ball, ‘the most brilliant of its kind yet seen in this city’. The Vogels also imported New Zealand’s first lawn tennis set, though Sir Julius was too unfit to chase the ball far.
In 1884 the Vogels returned for another three years. Sir Julius was obese and gouty, so Cabinet often met in an office built in the house. In 1886 he added a lift to take him from the dining room up to his bedroom.
After the Vogels moved out, the government tried to sell the property. But the press and public fought back. Wellington people valued its spacious grounds as a public amenity. Only the furniture was sold. Some suggested turning the site into an old men’s home or a university, but it stayed empty. MPs’ salaries had been cut, and the Liberal ministers of the 1890s had to live cheaply. Premier Richard John Seddon lived in a modest ministerial residence at 47 Molesworth Street. ‘This isn’t at all a nice house; it is surrounded, like a nunnery, with a high and close and ugly wooden fence, and presents a dismal appearance’, a voter complained. Seddon’s son remembered it fondly as ‘a political house. Politics was the sole subject day after day – at breakfast, dinner and tea.’
The Tinakori Street residence, vacant since 1893, was leased out from 1896 to 1900, when it became a ministerial residence again.
The house’s fortunes recovered when Seddon’s deputy, Joseph Ward, moved in. Ward, soon to be Sir Joseph, and prime minister from 1906, named it Awarua House. Like Vogel, he enjoyed the good life. The Wards threw ‘at homes’, garden parties, receptions, garden fetes, balls and wedding receptions. Sometimes over 1000 people gathered there. When Governor Ranfurly dropped in for a chat, they served him whisky in special large glasses. Sir Joseph liked to free office hours for talking or socialising. So he spent the early morning in his study in pyjamas and dressing gown, signing the documents delivered by his chief secretaries.
William Massey, the house’s next lengthy occupant, renamed it Ariki Toa, ‘home of the chief’. During the First World War the Masseys used it for patriotic activities.
In 1925, Gordon Coates called Ariki Toa ‘a happy home … a haven of rest’. That year he rebuilt the conservatory and added an enclosed veranda above it. Four years later Cabinet again tried to sell it. ‘Sunless and damp, and the gardening costly and unnecessary’, an official sniffed. But again, public protests prevented a sale.
Ariki Toa’s role as the prime minister’s official house ended in the 1930s when George Forbes moved out. In 1935 the new prime minister, Michael Joseph Savage, a frugal bachelor, made the break permanent by choosing a smaller ministerial home in Molesworth Street. Three years later, dying of cancer, he moved into Hill Haven, 66 Harbour View Road, in the suburb of Northland. Prime Minister Peter Fraser decided to remain in Hill Haven throughout the 1940’s preferring its scenic outlook.
Sidney Holland preferred a place with a guest bathroom. He renovated 41 Pipitea Street in Thorndon. This brick house is close to Parliament, but its surroundings were still industrial, ‘with a brewery chimney quite close, a paint factory next door, commercial offices (B.P. Ltd) on the eastern boundary.’ The section had a small lawn in front and room for a clothes line behind, but the house was too small to entertain official guests.
Holland’s National successor Keith Holyoake also lived there. In 1966 the air was still ‘sodden with the smell of hops and malt from the brewery up the street, and jackhammers are busy tearing down Victorian ruins all around.’ But the economy-minded Holyoake dismissed all suggestions of building a new official residence. The Holyoakes put buckets under the leaks in the kitchen roof whenever it rained. Today Pipitea Street is still an important part of New Zealand politics and serves as the home of the National Party offices
Holyoake was not as eccentric as he might seem. Ministerial houses were seldom very flash. Every time the government changed, prime ministers-elect trotted around these places, often still occupied by defeated ministers and their families. In November 1972, for example, Norman Kirk and his wife, Ruth, went house hunting. Because they knew Holyoake had let 41 Pipitea Street deteriorate, they did not even bother to look at it. They chose a Seatoun house recommended by their ministerial driver.
The Ministry of Works looked after ministers’ houses. As many had been bought only to be demolished for motorways and other development, it skimped on their maintenance and furnishing. Television came to New Zealand in 1960, but the Ministry waited until 1965 before providing TV aerials for ministers’ houses. Ministers paid for their own sets until 1973, when Cabinet made them free – provided the screens did not exceed 23 inches (58 cm).
In 1976 New Zealand regained an official home for its prime minister for the first time in 40 years. Ten years earlier, Jocelyn Vogel had given Vogel House in Lower Hutt to the Crown to mark 100 years of Parliament in Wellington. Designed in 1933 by Helmore and Cotterill, it was one of the Hutt Valley’s last large houses designed for a family and domestic staff.
Prime Minister Robert Muldoon rushed to refurbish Vogel House in time for a dinner for the visiting Queen Elizabeth II in February 1977. He was our first modern leader able to offer VIPs proper hospitality. David Lange, who succeeded Muldoon in 1984, never liked Vogel House and kept his family in Auckland. He ‘camped’ in a tiny first floor apartment in the house, moaning about the staff folding the edge of the toilet paper in neat triangles, hotel-style. Finding it too far from the Beehive, he saw out his term as prime minister in a flat near Parliament.
After Michael Joseph Savage rejected Tinakori Street, it became ‘the murder house’, a children’s dental clinic. The Public Works Department raised seedlings at the front of the grounds. In 1977 the dental nurses moved out, leaving the property empty. In the early to mid-1980s the Ministry of Works repiled the building and fitted sprinklers, but it remained underutilised. Some wanted to redevelop the site, but the Thorndon Society and the Historic Places Trust defended its heritage qualities. It is a Category I historic place on the Trust register. In the late 1980s, Minister of Internal Affairs Michael Bassett decided to restore 260 Tinakori Road as an official prime ministerial residence. The conservation of Premier House, as they renamed it, was a 1990 Sesquicentennial project. That year Geoffrey Palmerand his wife, Margaret, became its first official residents.
Premier House has housed every subsequent prime minister. Some made it a family home, but Helen Clark and John Key kept their families in Auckland, using Premier House as a workday squat. ‘There’s a little corner which has the bedroom and the bathroom, and … I go into the bedroom somewhere around midnight or later,’ Clark said in 2002. ‘The alarm goes in the morning, I wander along to the kitchen, I turn on the jug and make a cup of tea. Then I’m out of there.’
Nevertheless, Premier House hosts VIPs, such as Prince William, who attended a barbecue there in 2010. It is also used by politicians and officials for meetings and is the venue for events such as awards ceremonies. Premier House was one of the few Crown-owned ministerial houses retained by the government recently after it reformed ministerial expenses, terminated many leases and put ministers on to flat allowances to cover their Wellington expenses.
Information provided by NZhistory.net.nz
Previous facts of the day: Speaker's flat, Urgency, Jernigham Wakefield, Sidney Holland and the Suicide Squad, 1951 the last majority election, The Business Committee, New Zealand's First Parliament in Auckland, 1947 Greymouth beer boycott, So goes Hamilton so goes the nation, Australia and Compulsory Voting
Standing Order of the Day - SO311 - Recommittal
A motion to recommit a bill to a committee of the whole House may be moved after the order of the day for the third reading of the bill has been called. There is no amendment or debate on the question.
Local Elections are coming
Elections for Mayors, Councils, Community Boards, Regional Council and District Health Boards will be held on 8 October.
This election will be via Postal vote after a possible internet voting trial was scrapped. Only those correctly enrolled by Friday 12 August 2016 will get their voting papers for the 2016 local elections sent to them in the mail.
Voting papers will be sent out from 16 September and must be received by the electoral officer by noon on Election Day, 8 October 2016.
Enrolling or updating your details is easy - go online at elections.org.nz, freetext your name and address to 3676, call 0800 36 76 56 or go to any PostShop.
If you want to nominate as a candidate you have until 12 August to submit your papers. For more information visit your council website or consult Vote 2016
To see the nominations so far received for most councils and authorities click here
The next members day is expected to be on August 24
To see today's order paper click here
To see business currently before Select Committee Click Here
To see past Members Day Updates Click Here

Period: 364.57 days

	Submissions	Comments
Total	1000	49392
Rate (per day)	2.74	135.19
Unique Redditors	577	5839
Combined Score	123859	258768

Top Submitters' Top Submissions

1. 5623 pts, 51 submissions: SydneyTom
   
   1. Wanted to swap in Marrickville. (383 pts, 55 comments)
   2. Creeper on the shitkansen (288 pts, 154 comments)
   3. NSW putting an end to greyhound racing (270 pts, 141 comments)
   4. Uber now legal in NSW (251 pts, 88 comments)
   5. Uber proves 40% cheaper than Sydney taxis and more reliable in Choice test (224 pts, 116 comments)
   6. If anyone is in Summer Hill and surrounding suburbs. There are 3 animals that have been left alone for 4 days now due to their pet sitter having a stroke. (192 pts, 25 comments)
   7. Man charged after allegedly filming woman on train - Police Transport Command (191 pts, 106 comments)
   8. Sydney Seal is back. With a pup! (172 pts, 27 comments)
   9. "BUT, remain Humble!" (167 pts, 126 comments)
   10. That's not how you spell 'au pair' (155 pts, 13 comments)
2. 4053 pts, 43 submissions: mubd1234
   
   1. The last non-air conditioned bus in State Transit's Sydney fleet has now been retired from service. (181 pts, 74 comments)
   2. Taxi lights: What they mean (171 pts, 64 comments)
   3. 2001 CityRail plan for railway network development over the next 50 years, including a network map of the projected 'ultimate' rail network. (168 pts, 105 comments)
   4. Sydney welcomes President Johnson - 1966 (164 pts, 21 comments)
   5. Museum Station, a month and a half before opening - 5 November 1926 (163 pts, 20 comments)
   6. A drive-thru meal at Brighton Le Sands (144 pts, 33 comments)
   7. Just a reminder... (134 pts, 41 comments)
   8. What's open today? (Anzac Day 2016) (129 pts, 29 comments)
   9. An example of poor intersection design at General Holmes Drive and Mill Pond Road - traffic lights displaying a red signal get lost in a sea of bright red airport landing lights. I wrote to the RMS last year, who have done nothing. I'm worried that there will be a horrible accident soon. (119 pts, 63 comments)
   10. PSA: If you ride a motorbike into the CBD from the North Shore, you can get a special toll account from the RMS which gives you unlimited access to the Harbour Bridge or Tunnel for $90 a quarter. You don't even need to carry an E-tag - there is no video matching fee. (119 pts, 40 comments)
3. 2042 pts, 23 submissions: trish1975
   
   1. Big crowds turn out for greyhound adoption day at Wentworth Park (170 pts, 5 comments)
   2. 'The dogs don't work': NSW Greens say $66m 'wasted' on drug sniffer dog unit (156 pts, 107 comments)
   3. TAFE NSW funding to be cut to half as more dollars pushed to private colleges (152 pts, 59 comments)
   4. Call to make City Circle trains free as George Street closure nears (138 pts, 47 comments)
   5. Sydney launches 'world's largest' braille and tactile network for vision-impaired pedestrians (99 pts, 24 comments)
   6. NSW considers compulsory helmets for skateboarders and scooters (96 pts, 99 comments)
   7. Greyhound racing: Calls for inquiry into horse racing following dog sport ban (91 pts, 38 comments)
   8. Inner Sydney mayor says landlords should pay for leaving shops vacant on dying high streets (89 pts, 66 comments)
   9. Salim Mehajer: Auburn deputy mayor refuses to resign after allegations of conflict of interest (84 pts, 36 comments)
   10. NSW Government announces public inquiry into Auburn, North Sydney councils (82 pts, 26 comments)
4. 1764 pts, 1 submission: shecamealong
   
   1. Typical brunch at a cafe in sydney (1764 pts, 244 comments)
5. 1517 pts, 17 submissions: acuriousmindofmine
   
   1. Office cleaner who was fired for drinking coffee on the job wins $9,000 in damages and gets his job back (182 pts, 97 comments)
   2. Salim Mehajer's wife Aysha applies for AVO against the former councillor (151 pts, 149 comments)
   3. [Update]Missing Chinese student taken to hospital after being found in inner city Sydney (123 pts, 27 comments)
   4. Sydney sandwich outlet Little Vienna allegedly underpaid workers $108,000 and fabricated records (117 pts, 116 comments)
   5. [Update] Students who abused 'disabled' man on train suspended from Sydney school (109 pts, 62 comments)
   6. University of Sydney terminates art school merger with University of NSW (107 pts, 15 comments)
   7. Adeel Khan found guilty of murder over Rozelle shop fire (83 pts, 12 comments)
   8. Chinese restaurant faces claims it underpaid workers more than $580,000 (78 pts, 71 comments)
   9. There's a 'strong or corrupted' heroin batch in Sydney, has killed 13 people within the last month (78 pts, 97 comments)
   10. 'Strong evidence' police deleted photo of officer accused of groping woman's breasts (73 pts, 30 comments)
6. 1345 pts, 1 submission: YellowIsBad
   
   1. sydney_irl (1345 pts, 112 comments)
7. 1322 pts, 11 submissions: Chillers
   
   1. Vivid starts tomorrow. (268 pts, 43 comments)
   2. Probably the best picture i've ever taken (150 pts, 22 comments)
   3. Golden sunset just now (149 pts, 13 comments)
   4. Geocaching - Sydney edition (127 pts, 24 comments)
   5. Well that was a $#!tfight (aldi ski sale) (124 pts, 45 comments)
   6. Spent NYE at taronga last night. Here's some handheld pics. (121 pts, 18 comments)
   7. What a difference the weather makes in Sydney (109 pts, 20 comments)
   8. xpost roadcam Driver flips truck on M2 (83 pts, 29 comments)
   9. Super sunset out there at the moment. (73 pts, 9 comments)
   10. Posties not attempting delivery (66 pts, 67 comments)
8. 1210 pts, 1 submission: SydneyCyclist
   
   1. The Opera House right now (1210 pts, 58 comments)
9. 1072 pts, 14 submissions: ShibaHook
   
   1. Sydney's nightlife is becoming an international joke, says top entrepreneur (169 pts, 177 comments)
   2. Clover Moore wants exemptions for live-music venues, top bars from lockout laws (113 pts, 84 comments)
   3. Barangaroo bans kites, balls, barbecues but welcomes private parties for a fee (97 pts, 57 comments)
   4. Buyers priced out of 75 per cent of Sydney: UNSW (85 pts, 88 comments)
   5. Call for speed limit increase on the Pacific and Hume Highways (76 pts, 120 comments)
   6. Lockouts: Poll shows two-thirds of NSW residents want laws to stay | smh.com.au (73 pts, 138 comments)
   7. 82-year-old woman knocks back $26 million offer as neighbours sell (67 pts, 72 comments)
   8. Two elderly nuns robbed at knifepoint at Buddhist temple in Wetherill Park (62 pts, 12 comments)
   9. PSA: Now is the time to book your accommodation for NYE (61 pts, 32 comments)
   10. Vanishing rego stickers drive surge in fines (60 pts, 53 comments)
10. 1040 pts, 7 submissions: maestroenglish
    
    1. Found a bloke's phone in Darling Harbour last night... (337 pts, 47 comments)
    2. Narrabeen pumping on Monday. I mean, really pumping. (198 pts, 10 comments)
    3. King tide and the king, Coogee. (158 pts, 19 comments)
    4. Only in Newtown... (122 pts, 24 comments)
    5. Sydney bloke drops beer, makes the "news" (85 pts, 15 comments)
    6. The once revered ibis: from Egyptian god to Australian tip turkey (84 pts, 42 comments)
    7. Glory, glory! (56 pts, 18 comments)

Top Commenters

1. SilverStar9192 (4371 pts, 912 comments)
2. puppy2010 (4283 pts, 558 comments)
3. SydneyTom (2677 pts, 277 comments)
4. ShibaHook (2472 pts, 370 comments)
5. henry82 (2317 pts, 425 comments)
6. Rougey (1899 pts, 156 comments)
7. nearly_enough_wine (1806 pts, 255 comments)
8. tinmun (1738 pts, 384 comments)
9. PoodleSan (1562 pts, 188 comments)
10. Turd111 (1554 pts, 332 comments)

Top Submissions

1. Typical brunch at a cafe in sydney by shecamealong (1764 pts, 244 comments)
2. sydney_irl by YellowIsBad (1345 pts, 112 comments)
3. The Opera House right now by SydneyCyclist (1210 pts, 58 comments)
4. Manly Ferry this morning by CoopersPaleAle (716 pts, 43 comments)
5. The hero we deserve by 646463 (651 pts, 43 comments)
6. Having a nice quiet lunch and then the cast of Star Trek sit at the table next to you. by smeggles (647 pts, 42 comments)
7. When Melb talks shit on Sydney by 420forjesus (597 pts, 226 comments)
8. I rendered last night's gorgeous sunset into a HQ gif. by Matjoez (578 pts, 63 comments)
9. Got my citizenship and a lifetime supply of vegemite! by Tartlet (563 pts, 181 comments)
10. Welcome to Sydney! :-) [public sign in Sydney streets] by fatherOfDragonborn (492 pts, 55 comments)

Top Comments

1. 526 pts: SilverStar9192's comment in Why is it Israel safety week?
2. 245 pts: InnerCityTrendy's comment in Why is it Israel safety week?
3. 207 pts: SimpleAnswer's comment in The Clusterfuck that is Sydney CBD
4. 181 pts: heaps_witty_username's comment in So, Sydney is fucked. From lockouts to bicycles to no drug tests to casinos and more. What are we gonna DO about it. I'm pissed off and I'm not moving, what do we do?
5. 181 pts: ShibaHook's comment in Typical brunch at a cafe in sydney
6. 178 pts: Solsken's comment in Woman's hair cut off on Sydney bus
7. 177 pts: father-dick-byrne's comment in Office cleaner who was fired for drinking coffee on the job wins $9,000 in damages and gets his job back
8. 174 pts: puppy2010's comment in A Little Rant About Sydney, Maybe Someone Can Ease My Frustrations
9. 174 pts: heaps_witty_username's comment in No more free trips on Opal card, announces NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance
10. 174 pts: LoveBurstsLP's comment in Opal Card - End of free travel after 8 trips - how do you intend to adjust to it as a frequent traveller?

Generated with BBoe's Subreddit Stats SRS Marker: 1469753297.0

I have an incredible, once in a lifetime opportunity to take over and rennovate a 250 room tropical waterfront resort - with an opportunity to attach a boutique casino.
It'll cost ~$20M to aquire and rennovate but will be worth >$100M when complete.
It is located in the South Pacitic with direct flights from LAX, Sydney & Auckland. Tourism numbers are growing fast. Alternate accommodation is limited and currently enjoying very high occupancy rates and great margins.
Where do I go for funding? Who should I parnter with? How do I protect my own interests in revealing this opportunity?