10 August 1998

This is the week, ten long years - 10/08/98

Well, on Thursday it is Diana's 10th wedding anniversary. By some sort of coincidence it is mine as well. Seems a while ago, I must admit. Got absolutely no idea what we will do for it. We are probably just going to order in pizza from Prego for dinner seeing it is a weeknight.
Speaking of Diana, she was sick and stayed in bed on Wednesday, first time since we've had kids (other than when she actually HAD the kids). Had to take Hannah swimming, drop Rory to school, cover for Diana in his computer class, and take him home. Good for me to do all that and see a different side of things. Hannah "high-fived" me at the completion of each length. She was very good in the car when I was talking on my phone, which could be confusing seeing it is in a hands-free setup so I don't look like I am on the phone. She said hello to "big Rory", a client who she has met a couple of times.
She crashed and slept for about three hours, during which time I was out doing work. When she woke up she wanted to go to Melissa's house (which was planned earlier in the week for that day but hadn't been mentioned during the day). I didn't take her because a) she was asleep, and b) I didn't get back in time. Bit of a ruckus but she went the next day in the end. I explained that we could go but nobody was home so we could just sit outside on the street in the car. She wanted to go inside and I pointed out that we would go to jail for that and then Rory and Mummy would play with our toys. Didn't quite swing it, but it helped. Finally she relented when I told her I needed help to burn the dinner.
Rory was very happy to see me at school for the computer session. Diana has been assisting the teacher which is making things considerably better and more productive. Many teachers aren't taking their kids into the suite because they are either scared of the technology or can't handle all the kids. It was an experience I have to admit. I fixed a few things on some of the machines, cleaned some mouse balls, and kept an eye on Diana's group of techno-bunnies (Rory and Ryan and the rest are year twos). One of the kids told me I looked pretty flash. Had to ask Rory what that meant (cool, apparently). Rory's comment to the other kids when I arrived was "My Dad's big, eh?". Silly really. It was fun to see what happened, much like soccer training but worse. I always thought the young ones were too scared to be anything but well-behaved. Nope. This girl Elizabeth that always chases Rory in Kiss and Catch talks like Hannah in overdrive, in overdrive. Inside of 30 seconds I knew she did ballet, origami, dancing, and about seventeen other things. I asked her if she had considered joining Toastmasters but I don't think she likes toast.
Rory lost a third tooth on Thursday night, the first one that was wiggly, the other tooth came up behind it. I showed him how to pull it out and he did, the damn thing was wobbling about 70 degrees either way so it was time to go. He has nearly $50 in his money box now, with birthday money and teeth boosting it considerably. Little bugger doesn't really need anything, a whole week after his birthday. I said he could buy all the Spice Girl dolls and he went "AAAaaarrrgghghh!". Then I said the Action Men could take them out with hand grenades and missiles and all of a sudden he thought that was an option. We will wait a few weeks before he gets cut loose with the money. I wish I could think of something appropriate that he could continue to save for.
Got some photos of the soccer from weekend before last, with some cool shots of the team in action, including Adam looking utterly focussed and in action and two of him adjusting his shirt (much more natural shots). I seem to be pointing a lot. There is a great one of Hannah with a bit of orange in her mouth, she looks surprised as if she has a whole orange in there. Gavin took them, and I think I might try to get him to take a few more.
The team got a game on Saturday, despite the predictions of rain from Friday lunchtime. We didn't see rain until late Sunday and it is still raining now, but lightly. They played well, Jared nearly scored his first goal, so close it wasn't funny, just too much of a rush. We won 6-0 with Joseph scoring 5. Against easier teams Joseph seems to score more goals. In the tougher games the others seem to score as well because I think Joseph passes it more. Many hung around afterward and played on the playground at Michaels Ave (in Ellerslie). Three games to go! I don't know what I will do on Saturdays after that. I woke up at 5am again on Saturday so was thoroughly stuffed for the party in the evening. I was very pleased we got to play. It is without doubt the highlight of my week. One of the parents on the other team said I was a very good ref! Better than the slagging you get in the higher grades. Paul Chambers' coach was ref'ing his game on Saturday and he gave every doubtful call in favour of his own team, and ran the game about seven minutes over time because his team was behind. The next teams due to play were yelling for them to stop from the sideline (timetable is very tight with games hard up against each other) and then the two coaches got a bit heated (Allan got between them to defuse the situation). I don't know who they think they are kidding sometimes. Paul might come and watch a training session with the Orcas and help out.
An all gay rugby team was featured in the Listener this week. They are the only team with 17 different coloured uniforms, they want to make sure they don't clash with anyone they play. Apparently their first game was a problem because when they were told to come out they said they already had and went into a group hug. They also not only have the blood bin, but the mud bin, where people come off when they get a bit of dirt on them. Stay tuned to see how they go. Some say they will want to be bottom of the table.
Forgot to send commiseration to the Sydney-siders with no water last week. Hope the giardia is settling down. For those who don't know, about 3.5 million people couldn't drink the water for a few days. Penny said they had bugger all bottled water as they had just sent a heap to New Guinea after the Tsunami. And they laughed about our power.
Radio Sport has been way too much in the last week with the verbal black armbands out over the rugby. Pathetic. But Michael Jones has been dropped on the basis that they are now looking toward the World Cup next year. Sad, he has been playing pretty well considering. Let's see what happens. Norm Berryman was named in the 26 man squad, to the joy of people in both Northland and Canterbury (played for the Crusaders this year). Jones says he will keep playing for Auckland.
Interesting little event at training last Tuesday. A coach dragged his son off the field, round behind the front door of the ute, then whacked him about a dozen times. I didn't want to go and interfere while I had my team to look after but the whole scene was not at all good. I didn't want to get involved in a scrap in front of my team but felt pretty shitty about leaving the boy to get thumped. A woman went over and said something and she was told to make love elsewhere. I have written a letter to the club suggesting he is not really coach material (I don't think they can do anything about him as a father). I thought my team didn't see but one said later "Gee, that coach must have been really mad with that boy" - didn't occur to them that it was a parent as well.
Installed a waste disposal thing over the weekend, despite the guy at Mitre 10's efforts to screw it up (sent Diana to get certain items, came back with less in a supposedly cheap way of doing it that didn't work and screwed up some other perfectly good components of pipery). Kids had a birthday party Saturday afternoon (Zac, who is one day older than Rory) and we had a going away party Saturday night (Gary and Angie with their two kids similar to our two in age, one of which is the Matthew we confused last weekend. Mathew is in the Stingrays, with the coach mentioned above who gives free boxing lessons). They are going to Canada for a year, on a fireman exchange programme. Heaps of people from Diana's school were there, and a few Pt Chev people I know. One guy there was talking about a lady he travelled around the US with who had slept with Bill Clinton. Wondered if she would sell her story, but I think there is probably a fair few in the same position and sleeping with him before he was married isn't exactly newsworthy. More interest in a woman who hasn't slept with him.
They are speculating on him being named as an All Black. Ball distribution excellent, defence (in court) is outstanding, doesn't mind getting his hands dirty, plays the field well.
Rory corrected the injustice of the previous weekend when he went to the other Matthews house yesterday. When he rang up he said "hello, it is Matthew EDMOND here."
Sarah came and watched Rory play on Saturday and she stayed until I dropped the kids and Diana off to the party. Was good to see her again. Her accommodation is small, but not bad. Good start for her in terms of getting out into the real world.
My grandmother is in care again, this time it may be for the duration. Needed an injection to sleep on Friday. She looked so good a few weeks back, it is a bit of a shame. Pop says he is a bit lonely, but I think he is referring to the gin bottle being empty more than anything else.
Koos, spoke to your mother the other night. She seemed pretty cheerful. Will give her your email address so David can mail you.
Labour and the Alliance hopped into bed together last week. Scary thought, but I suppose it had to happen. Bill Ralston used the rugby analogy to describe politics at the moment. The coalition has three loose forwards (John Banks, Christine Fletcher, and Neil Kirton) that act like seagulls round a rubbish dump. Winston is no good under a high ball, although he has great footwork. The tight five are a bit tired and need replacing. The Labour Alliance opposition have a strong left and right wing, so nobody knows where the next attack is coming from. You get the idea.
Shitty weather in Sydney last Friday I hear.
As you can tell, a fairly busy week all things considered. Will let you know how the anniversary goes. All of you who said it wouldn't last are definitely out of pocket by now. Mind you, we still haven't done our wedding photos. Maybe leave that for the 20th anniversary.

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